Introduction from our Chief Executive

The People First report, published in January 2023, identified our barriers to success and provided our top three priorities to help us achieve our strategic goals, meet the expectations of our patients and partners, and provide confidence to our regulators.

On 25 and 26 April 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as the government’s appointed regulator, assessed our maternity services. On 6 and 7 June 2023, they also reviewed our leadership and governance, carrying out a Well-Led review. Following both inspections, the CQC decided our ratings for maternity services and WellLed should change from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’. It is positive news that our hospitals are improving, and the change is a significant step forward on our improvement journey.

Across our maternity services, the CQC reported most colleagues felt positive and proud to work at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH). There were improvements in the management of serious incidents, and women felt listened to and involved in their care. Through the Well-Led review, regulators identified a strengthened leadership capacity and capability, an improved culture of highquality sustainable care, and a greater oversight and challenge of quality and performance information. The ratings demonstrate that we are making real and sustained improvements, and I hope it is an encouragement for colleagues and our local people, that our plans are working. I want to thank everyone at NUH for their continuing support and hard work. I am grateful to them all for everything they have done and continue to do for our community.

To prepare for winter pressures, the 2023/24 NUH winter plan has been under development since the summer. Winter plans, mitigations and our bed model have been worked up and finalised for decision at the Trust Leadership Board

(TLB) and Trust Board. Plans include the expansion of virtual ward services, making improvements within the integrated discharge hub, and protecting our planned care activity through running additional weekend emergency theatre lists. At QMC we have invested in the development of the new Transfer of Care

Unit (TOCU) and a new 24-bed Geriatric Assessment Unit (GAU), to help improve flow out of the Emergency Department and increase capacity. Investing in our estate aims to improve health outcomes and patient experience by ensuring patients have the right care at the right time, in the right place.