Guardian News and Media/London


It will take three to five years to turn around the 11 failing NHS hospitals identified in the Keogh review, according to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who acknowledged that more hospitals with similar problems will soon be identified by a new inspection regime.
Hunt announced a number of measures that he believes will not only make a difference but give the public confidence that standards in their failing hospital are improving.
They include total transparency, with progress on the problems published on the NHS Choices website for all to see; totally independent, Ofsted-style inspections; and help from a “buddy” in the shape of a very successful hospital which will pass on its knowledge and expertise.
“Turning around our failing hospitals is probably one of the biggest operational challenges that we face in the NHS today,” said Hunt in the first of what he promised would be quarterly briefings on hospital improvements, also in the interests of transparency.
“The really serious problems identified in the Francis report require politicians and NHS leaders to look long and hard at standards throughout the system. In most of the system standards are good and in some parts of the system they are superb, but not everywhere.
“We have come to realise that some of the problems in some hospitals are so entrenched that it will take potentially three to five years to turn them around.”
Following the Keogh review, published in July, 11 failing hospitals were put into special measures, six of which were foundation trusts - among those that have been granted extra independence and freedoms to manage their own affairs on the basis of excellence.
Those foundation trusts have been stripped of that autonomy until such time as they are removed from special measures.
Leadership is a crucial issue at the failing trusts, Hunt said. In many of them, board members, chief executives and medical directors have left.
Basildon, North Lincolnshire and Goole, Sherwood Forest and Thameside have all seen changes. Others will go if leadership does not improve, said David Bennett of Monitor, which oversees the foundation trusts.
Hunt said due process had to be followed which takes time, “much to my frustration, actually”. Some top hospitals have already agreed to help the failing trusts, although others are still seeking a partner. University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB), lauded by Hunt as one of the best in the world, is supporting two George Eliot hospital in Nuneaton and Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Dame Julie Moore, chief executive of UHB, has implemented a world-class IT system there and is now helping George Eliot develop its own.