Lowest mortality rate for eight years

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust’s mortality rate has fallen to the lowest rate for eight years as staff continue to implement across-the-board improvements in patient care.

New data on mortality rates, known as HSMR, show that the 2013/14 score for the trust is 98.4, down from 109 in the previous year and now better than the national average.

HMSR, the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio, is designed to assess whether the number of hospital deaths is higher or lower than expected, depending on the case mix of patients involved. They are calculated by healthcare analysis organisation Dr Foster and the national average is given a score of 100.

• The figure is the lowest since 2006/07 when the score was 106.

The trust was placed in special measures after its higher-than-expected mortality rates for 2012/13 prompted a review by Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director for England.

Jane Lewington, trust chief executive officer, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is due to the hard work of all our staff. We can’t underestimate the massive progress we have made as a trust over the past few years.”

“There’s no single factor that led to the reduction, it is due to widespread improvements to quality of patient care and fostering a safety culture at our hospitals.

“To have achieved a reduction from 109 to 98.4 in one year, is a real testament to everyone’s hard work and commitment to improve patient care. Every member of staff has contributed to this improvement journey. 

“The trust is implementing a quality improvement plan called Beyond Good that covers many projects where our hospitals need to show significant progress to get out of special measures next year.”

Getting out of special measures isn’t the end goal, the quality improvement plan is about taking positive long-term action. Key areas where improvements are being made include seven-day services, out-patient clinics, developing and training our staff, and maintaining health records.

Medical director Dr Suneil Kapadia, said: “We won’t sit on our laurels. There is still more work to be done and we are aware that the trust has still to get out of special measures and has to continue to make long-term changes to the quality of our services.

“We also need to make sure all our services are clinically and financially sustainable. We are doing this through our clinical strategy and working in partnership with commissioners as part of Lincolnshire Health and Care programme.

“These big changes will help improve and sustain the quality of health services for the people of Lincolnshire.”

The trust is expecting the Care Quality Commission’s re-inspection to be in February. By then, the trust needs to demonstrate it has made continued improvements in areas including mortality.