Stafford Hospital… back to the basics of care

“This week I hosted an event for people connected with healthcare to hear about progress at Stafford Hospital”

And people seemed both surprised and pleased that Antony Sumara, the new Chief Executive of the hospital, was not only his usual blunt self (in a positive and honest way) about the difficulties but also very clear about the need to get back to basics.

By back to basics I mean just that. One might think that the recovery of Stafford Hospital may be about flow charts, new managers and generally very high level stuff. Well, yes, part of it is.

But what impressed people there and gave a tremendous confidence boost was his genuine fury at basic failings around dignity, treating patients, and for that matter staff, with respect and his determination to get the basic behaviour you’d expect in a hospital right.

He’s very clear about making sure the right people with the right powers are in place to enforce culture change where it is needed and not frightened take tough action when people either don’t want to or can’t make the changes needed.

All very positive so it’s a done deal you might well say. No it’s not.

At 6′ 7″ Sumara is an imposing man but he’s also an impressive Chief Exec and, in my view, is what Stafford Hospital needs at the current time. He does, however, have a mountain to climb in some distinct areas of work.

But all that said, he also made it very clear that there are many many more good people than bad working at Stafford Hospital and one of his crucial tasks is to let the great work that many are doing spread organically throughout the whole organisation, overiding the bad culture that lurks.

It’s very early days yet. He took up his post a matter of days before I took up mine and so the proof will be what things look like over the coming year or so.

Personally, I’m positive. My view from both the event and my general dealings with Antony Sumara so far is that he has a professional and personal determination to get things right and appears to have the wear with all to make it happen. It’s just how soon.

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