Media Release: Inspection reports for Raigmore Hospital and Lorn and Islands Hospital, NHS Highland

“Despite significant pressures on hospital capacity, during our inspection of Raigmore Hospital, patients and families were complimentary about the staff and care provided. We saw teams working closely to provide safe and effective care and staff described supportive management.

“The majority of wards were calm and well organised with good leadership. We identified  strong support for newly qualified nurses and assistant practitioners.

“We raised concerns to senior managers regarding the use of additional beds and oversight of infection control risks.  We also found instances where infection outbreaks had not been reported in accordance with guidelines.

“Further areas for improvement included ensuring staff are trained in fire evacuation, staff compliance with infection prevention precautions and ensure all patients have access to call bells and toilet and shower facilities.

“During our inspection at Lorn and Islands Hospital we found staff working hard to deliver care, which patients described as compassionate and responsive, and were complementary of the staff providing it.

“We saw good teamwork in calm, clean, well led areas and all patients in the emergency department in designated cubicles. Our inspectors did not see any delays in ambulance turnaround times. However, due to the remote and rural location of the hospital, managers told us that staff recruitment can be challenging.

“As there is no onsite mental health until within the hospital, staff advised inspectors that patients who are experiencing acute mental health crisis are often admitted to the medical and surgical wards of the hospital whilst awaiting assessment or transfer to an available mental health unit. We raised concerns with NHS Highland relating to lack of appropriate nursing staff training in caring for patients in these situations.

“Other areas for improvement identified included the completion of patient documentation and safe storage of cleaning products.”