Hospital welcomes review findings ahead of public meeting on action plans

The plan is due to be presented today when a planned review of acute and community services in Bedford and Milton Keynes is discussed.

The governing body will also make a decision about the future of the consultation into children’s health services in the light of this wider review.

The independent review, which was undertaken by Dr Namita Kumar, Postgraduate Dean for Health Education England North East, was commissioned by the Trust following the withdrawal of junior doctors from its paediatrics department in July over concerns surrounding supervision.

Following the decision to withdraw junior doctors from paediatrics, which was made by Health Education England and the General Medical Council, the Trust demanded independent scrutiny of its medical training and education provision.

The review did not look at specialty specific issues, or the education and training of other health care professionals, but at the provision of medical education and training across the organisation as a whole.

As was required, the report identifies areas for improvement, and the Trust has already put in place an action plan to deliver the recommendations it makes.

In her summary, Dr Kumar said: “The Trust has board level commitment to address educational issues and genuinely wants to improve.

“There is some notable practice at the trust and a very committed group of educational faculty, trainers and educational staff who want to deliver excellence.

“Most of the recommendations are organisational and could be implemented quickly.”

Acting chief executive, Stephen Conroy, said: “We fully accept the findings of this report and are already implementing the recommendations through our action plan.

“We asked Dr Kumar to look at what we need to do to improve and welcome the rigor with which she has approached the task.

“Clearly we have work to do to create the best possible learning environment, and the recommendations are clear about what we need to do and how we need to do it. It is pleasing to also see areas of notable practice highlighted in the report, and our aim is to bring standards in all specialties up to those of the best.

“We have appointed an interim director of HR and organisational development to support the director of medical education in leading this improvement work and have already made some significant changes to better support our junior medical staff.

“The Trust Board will monitor progress on this action plan at its public meetings and I look forward to seeing rapid and substantial progress.”