Hospital ward is 'safe' despite concern over falls

Inspectors visited the head and neck ward and rated the service "good"

A hospital's surgery department has been described as safe and well led by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Northampton General Hospital after concerns were raised about a risk of people falling over, but inspectors said this was unsubstantiated.

Inspectors visited the head and neck ward and rated the service "good" but said there were issues regarding the department's layout.

Northampton General Hospital said it had made improvements by "reducing clutter and optimising the layout".

The CQC said it visited on 6 March to check that suitable care, equipment and processes were in place to reduce the risk of patients falling over.

According to its report, inspectors found patients felt safe and staff responded promptly to their needs.

Inspectors said sensor mats had been installed to alert staff when someone who was at risk of falls attempted to stand up, and staff had received training on how to prevent these accidents.

But the report said the ward layout "made it challenging for staff to care for people who were confused or at risk of falling".

It said: "Staff tried to maintain a clutter-free environment around the immediate bedside but found this more challenging on the wider ward due to the environmental constraints."

'Reducing clutter'

The CQC said surgery had not been re-rated, and remained "good", while the overall rating for Northampton General Hospital remained "requires improvement".

Julie Hogg, chief nurse for the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, said: "[We have] carefully considered the concerns raised about the ward layout and the challenges it presents for patients who may be confused or at risk of falling."

She said the hospital had reduced clutter and that patients at high risk of falls who did not require specialist head and neck care would be "accommodated in wards better suited to their needs".