Council says Kettering hospital improvements ‘must happen’

Kettering General Hospital announced last week it has been ranked ‘inadequate’ and placed on ‘special measures’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The hospital’s Interim Chief Executive Fiona Wise has written to stakeholders, including Harborough District Council, to inform them of plans being prepared for extensive reviews and improvements.

She said in the letter that the issues raised were being taken “very seriously”.

The letter also stated that the CQC report, as well as noting areas for urgent improvement, had highlighted some of the good and outstanding practices at the hospital and that “all staff were passionate about providing high quality patient care.”

Harborough District Council said it was in the process of requesting a meeting with the hospital’s Interim Chief Executive to discuss the issues in more detail.

A spokesman for Harborough District Council said: “Kettering General Hospital is used by a large number of local residents and it is crucial that the issues raised in the CQC report are addressed. Improvements must happen, and must happen quickly. As a stakeholder, we will be engaging with the NHS to ensure the hospital improvement plan is followed through and that the standard of care offered by this important health facility is maximised.”