Quality and Standards

Quality and Standards

Quality Statement

St Anthony’s Hospital is committed to sound policies and practices that support its effective operation. We consistently plan to meet the requirements of our patients, their visitors, consultants, our volunteers and our staff. Through a well-trained, effective and motivated workforce we aim to take the hospital forward within a culture of continuous improvement and an environment that maintains the principles underpinning both corporate and clinical governance.

Our 10 key quality statements are set out here:

  1. The needs of patients are put first at all times
  2. The service is responsive to the needs of patients, their visitors and consultants
  3. A caring, honest and professional attitude is maintained
  4. Feedback from patients, visitors, consultants and staff is encouraged and viewed as an opportunity to improve
  5. The hospital and grounds are safe, clean and tidy and pleasing to the eye
  6. The confidentiality of information concerning both patients and staff is constantly observed
  7. Communication with patients, visitors, consultants and staff is effective
  8. Staff are treated fairly and encouraged to maximise their full potential
  9. Staff understand the nature of the business and their role within it
  10. The best use is made of resources and wastage minimised

The Healthcare Commission

The Healthcare Commission was set up under the Health and Social Care (Community Health & Standards) Act 2003 to promote improvement in the quality of health and healthcare.

In April 2004, the Healthcare Commission took over responsibility from the National Care Standards Commission for regulating and inspecting the independent healthcare sector.

In England, the Healthcare Commission are responsible for assessing and reporting on the performance of both NHS and independent healthcare organisations, to ensure that they are providing a high standard of care. They also aim to encourage providers to continually improve their services and the way they work.

From the 1st April 2009, a new body "the Care Quality Commission" will absorb the role of the Healthcare Commission.

St Anthony’s Hospital has been inspected against the National Minimum Standards regulations since their inception in 2002. An archive of the Healthcare Commission Inspection reports can be found on the Healthcare Commission’s website.

The Hospital’s last inspection report can be found here:

2006/2007 – St Anthony’s Hospital submitted its self assessment documentation to the Healthcare Commission who acknowledged that an inspection during the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 was not required*.

From April 2007, the rules on the frequency of inspection in the independent healthcare sector changed, from annual inspection, to more targeted, appropriate and risk based assessments and inspections. For hospitals that can demonstrate that they comply with the independent healthcare national minimum standards, this could mean that inspections are only carried out every five years.

2007/2008 – St Anthony’s Hospital submitted its self-assessment documentation to the Healthcare Commission who acknowledged that an inspection during the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 was not required*.

* The Healthcare Commission reviews a range of information, including the last inspection report (2005/2006), the Hospital’s self-assessment and other information they receive from and about the hospital. From this information they did not identify any risks to suggest that St Anthony’s Hospital was not meeting the National Minimum Standards, consequently there was no need for the hospital to be further checked through an inspection.

Investors in People (IIP)

St Anthony’s Hospital has been a recognised Investor in People since 1994. The Hospital regards its staff as its greatest asset and takes pride in its targeted training programmes and high rates of staff retention. The Hospital is required to be inspected against prescribed IIP standards once every three years in order to maintain its IIP status. It last underwent and passed inspection in October 2007. The report’s executive summary stated that "St Anthony's hospital is a successful and happy organisation where the care of patients and staff are a top priority… St Anthony's has a personal approach to staff, an ethos of caring and delivers the highest standard of care to patients."

Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA)

St Anthony’s Hospital has achieved and maintains Clinical Pathology Accreditation. This scheme provides assurance that the pathology service provided is of high quality and meets defined standards of practice. The Hospital was last inspected in July 2007.

Environmental Health

The Hospital receives periodic visits from the local Environmental Health Inspectors. Assessing the Hospital Hotel Services standards of cleanliness and working practice the Hospital gains an additional assurance that its standards are high and remain so.

In 2007, the Hospital received a Five Star hygiene rating following an unannounced visit by the Senior Environmental Health Officer for the London Borough of Sutton. In effect, this award, that is part of the Food Standards Agency initiative "Scores on the Doors" confirms that the Hospital has achieved very high standards of food safety management and is fully compliant with food safety legislation