Hull Royal Infirmary’s emergency department has shown signs of progress after previously being rated “inadequate,” but significant improvements are still required, according to the latest assessment from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The hospital’s emergency department has now been upgraded to “requires improvement,” with inspectors noting positive developments following their September inspection. The rating for caring has risen from “requires improvement” to “good,” reflecting better communication with patients and a generally compassionate approach from staff.

Inspectors highlighted several areas where the department has made strides. Triaging procedures have improved, enabling patients to be assessed more effectively on arrival, and the handling of complaints has become more responsive and consistent.

However, despite these gains, the CQC identified ongoing breaches in several key areas, including environmental safety, staffing, infection prevention and control, medicines management, and consent to care and treatment. Concerns were also raised about the department’s cleanliness and the safety of its system for prescribing medicines.

Karen Knapton, the CQC’s deputy director of operations for the north, acknowledged the progress while stressing that substantial work remains. “It was positive to see that some improvements had been made,” she said. “However, more work was needed across the department to improve the standard of care people were receiving.”

Knapton added that recent changes in leadership were helping to drive improvements and praised frontline staff for maintaining kindness and clear communication with patients. “Most people and their families were positive about the care they received… Staff also communicated well so that they understood their care and treatment plans,” she noted.

Lyn Simpson, chief executive of NHS Humber Health Partnership, welcomed the report’s recognition of progress. “We are very pleased to see that the CQC has acknowledged a number of improvements have been made,” she said, adding that the Trust remains committed to further raising standards.

The CQC said it will continue to monitor the emergency department closely to ensure that the remaining issues are addressed and that patients receive consistently safe and effective care.

Whilst the improvements at the Trust are much welcomed, it is clear that there is still a long way to go to ensure that patients receive the standard of care to which they are entitled. This also means that patients continue to be exposed to unnecessary risk of harm and for some, this can result in life changing or even life ending consequences.

If you or a loved one have received care which you consider to be substandard from the A&E Department at Hull Royal Infirmary, or indeed any A&E department, and have suffered harm as a consequence, you may be able to bring a claim for clinical negligence. Our Compensation Department has substantial experience in claims concerning emergency care and are happy to have a non-obligation discussion as to your options and how we can help. Please get in touch with our Compensation team today on 01482 323697.