FINDINGS from an unannounced inspection of Carlisle's Emergency Department are set to be published, with "positive and motivated" NHS staff praised for their attitude in a challenged environment.
Staff welcomed inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) into the Cumberland Infirmary's Emergency Department on Monday February 16.
Directors of North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) were informed about the visit at their latest board meeting on Wednesday March 25.
Although the CQC's findings and NCIC's response are yet to be published, directors heard that the inspection highlighted issues that are already set to be addressed.
The inspection also gave the CQC an opportunity to see "how positive and motivated the team was despite the challenging environment they are working in."
Interim CEO Trudie Davies said: "During the last month (February), we have had a CQC visit to our A&E Department and I'd like to have on record, huge thanks to our A&E team at Carlisle, who have worked tirelessly to support the CQC with the information that they've asked for.
"We have just received our initial report and we're just digesting that information and over the next 48 hours, we will be developing a response to that information and we will make sure that information is available to the public as we work through the outcomes of that."
SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM
The verbal report on the CQC's visit coincided with the submission of four business cases to the board, which are designed to directly address the pressures facing NCIC.
Ms Davies said: "You will see on today's agenda, there are a number of business cases, particularly related to Unplanned Care.
"The CQC have identified similar themes to the ones we have identified ourselves, in the need to improve Unplanned Care and the board today are hoping that we will deliver approval of those business cases which will really help us to strengthen our urgent care performance and really deliver for the people of Cumbria what we have always planned to deliver."
The investments, which were approved by the board, include the full staffing of a new Urgent Treatment Centre on the Cumberland Infirmary site; additional consultants for acute medicine, the establishment of Hospital at Home Hubs and the expansion of Medical Same Day Emergency Care Units.
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