Health chiefs in Brighton and Hove have spelt out a number of concerns about a community trust which has a crucial role in freeing up hospital beds.
The problem areas were flagged up in a report to the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) governing body meeting this afternoon (Tuesday 27 January).
The report said that the main issues included the quality of a number of Sussex Community Trust services in Brighton and Hove.
These included the community phlebotomy service, heart failure service, community respiratory service, bowel and bladder service and the ICES (Integrated Community Equipment Service)
The report said: “Commissioners are continuing work with the provider to monitor and improve the robust delivery of these specialist but crucial services which support people with long-term conditions.”
It added that inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the trust last month and the formal feedback report was still awaited.
Brighton and Hove CCG has set up a schedule of monthly face-to-face review meetings to monitor the performance and quality of the trust’s services.
These were also trying to ensure that health chiefs had accurate and meaningful information from the trust.
Staffing and recruitment were also mentioned – issues that are affecting other parts of the NHS.
The CCG report said: “The trust is facing significant challenges in terms of recruiting nurses, both to existing vacant posts as well as longer-term succession planning.
“The trust is involved in a recruitment drive, including from overseas.”
