Bury St Edmunds's West Suffolk Hospital is planning for its next CQC inspection

West Suffolk Hospital’s chief executive Steve Dunn has challenged his staff to be ‘on the front foot’ ahead of an inspection this autumn.

The Care Quality Commission will make an unannounced visit to the Bury St Edmunds hospital sometime between August 26 and October 28.

Dr Dunn told a board meeting last week ‘it doesn’t feel like it has been a long time since inspectors were last here’ and gave West Suffolk an ‘outstanding’ rating in January 2018.

“This isn’t unusual,” he said. “The commission has changed how it inspects services and the majority of our trusts will have an inspection every year.

“So, we need to be ready and on the front foot in both our acute and community services. To showcase the things we’re really proud of, we need to make sure that we get the basics right.”

The board meeting revealed performance statistics for June, which showed a reduction in falls compared to May.

However, cancer targets were missed in three areas.

In addition, the trust has reported a financial deficit of £2.4million, which is £800,000 worse than plan. Despite this, the trust still predicts it will break even in 2019-20.

Nick Macdonald, deputy finance director, said: “Departments have cost improvement plans to make efficiencies. In addition our purchasing and pharmacy departments continue to source other, more cost effective products and medicines where appropriate, whilst maintaining quality.

“One of our long-term solutions is through encouraging more recruitment into the trust, therefore reducing temporary staff.”