Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust responds

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust it must make improvements after downgrading the rating of the trust from good to requires improvement.

The inspection took place last year and covered three mental health services, a community health service and how well led the trust was overall.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "The Care Quality Commission (CQC) conducted a well-led inspection at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust between February and June 2023. 

TRUST: Malvern Community Hospital (Image: Newsquest)"The inspection included a review of four service areas alongside a review of the well-led domain.

"We received some initial feedback from the CQC at the end of the inspection which we used to develop a comprehensive improvement plan.

"The board is taking the feedback very seriously and recognises that some improvements are needed. 

"We are absolutely committed to the delivery of improvements in the areas highlighted and have made significant progress against the improvement plan since the inspection and will continue to prioritise this in the months ahead.

"We are pleased that the CQC have noted that staff treated patients with kindness and compassion.

"They also recognised the improvements we have made in our mental health wards and community services following their previous inspections.

"Our staff and our patients remain our top priority as we continue our improvement work."