Inspectors praise DGRI

SIGNIFICANT pressure on capacity was noted by inspectors visiting Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, but they praised staff working together to deliver good care. Healthcare Improvement Scotland have now published a report relating to a safe delivery of care inspection visit they carried out to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in June. The inspection resulted in 13 areas of good practice found, as well as two recommendations and ten requirements. Areas for improvement included ensuring staff are trained in fire evacuation; completion and updating of patient care documentation; staff compliance with standard infection control precautions such as hand hygiene; and the sharing of learning following reporting of incidents. An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Dumfries and Galloway to meet the requirements. Following the inspection, Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s chief inspector Donna Maclean said: “Despite significant pressures on hospital capacity, inspectors saw multidisciplinary teams working together to deliver care. “Patients and families were complimentary about the staff and care provided. Staff described supportive managers and senior charge nurses were easily identifiable and open to engage in conversation with inspectors. “Staff and student nurses described a highly supportive environment for learning and development and friendly and a supportive culture in the hospital. “The hospital huddles we attended were multidisciplinary and supported staff to identify potential staffing risks. “Inspectors saw teams working hard to provide safe and effective care and this was reflected in feedback from patients and their relatives. “The majority of wards were calm, well led and organised. Mealtimes were well co-ordinated and patients who needed assistance were provided with this in a timely manner.”