Patients' views are being sought on the care provided at Croydon University Hospital ahead of its inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) next month.

The formal inspection of the hospital in London Road, will begin on Tuesday, September 17 and the trust is one of the first four hospital trusts to be inspected under the radical changes introduced by the CQC.

Last month the hospital was named as one of six "high-risk" hospitals prioritised for a tough new regime of inspection, after the CQC announced a radical shake-up of the way it monitors hospital standards.

Chief Inspector, Professor Sir Mike Richards, announced he will lead large inspection teams that will be headed up by clinical and other experts including trained members of the public.

The inspection team will look in detail at eight key service areas including A&E, maternity, paediatrics and outpatients.

A listening event is being held in the Arnhem Gallery in Fairfield Halls on September 17 at 6.30pm, where the public can find out more about the inspection process and tell the team about their experiences at the hospital and where improvements can be made.

Sir Mike said: "The new inspections are designed to provide people with a clear picture of the quality of the services in their local hospital providing good and excellent care.

"We know there is too much variation in quality – these new in-depth inspections will allow us to get a much more detailed picture of care in hospitals than ever before.

"Of course we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients in the hospital. But it is vital that we also hear the views of the people who have had care at Croydon University Hospital, or anyone who wants to share information with us.

"This will help us plan our inspection, and so help us focus on the things that really matter to people who depend on this service.

"This is your opportunity to tell me and my team what you think, and make a difference to the NHS services in the Croydon area."

The CQC will publish a full report into their findings later this year.

Anyone wishing to attend the listening event is asked to fill in an online form at cqclisteningevents.org.uk or call 0300 61 61 61. People who have not registered are free to turn up on the evening.

Those who cannot attend but wish to give their views can email them to the CQC.

 

TODAY'S TOP CROYDON STORIES