A hospitals chief has recommended that East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) be taken out of special measures.
Hospitals, including Accrington Victoria, Burnley and Blackburn, were deemed to have made ‘sufficient progress’ and could be brought out of special measures, following a full inspection by the Care Quality Commission in April.
The recommendation comes a year on from the damaging Keogh Review which found above average death rates at the trust and raised concerns about quality across key healthcare areas.
Sir Mike Richards, the author of the new report, said: “The trust has made real progress to meet the requirements of the Keogh Review.
“There is no doubt that the trust is heading in the right direction.”
The report, which was published on Wednesday, does, however, recommends that the trust continues to receive support in order to improve in 13 areas, such as equipment checks in theatre and the management of complaints.
Jim Birrell, Interim Chief Executive at ELHT said: “I am delighted at the outcome and very pleased for our hard working and dedicated 7,000 plus staff, who were devastated by the findings and criticisms of Keogh.”
