Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Edinburgh secures ‘Good’ outcome from unannounced Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection

• Hospital graded ‘Good’ for being safe, effective and well-led
• Colleagues knew how to raise concerns; regular patient feedback IS assessed; hospital described as a good place to work

Spire Murrayfield Hospital, part of Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, has received a ‘Good’ outcome from an unannounced inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).

Inspectors made the unannounced inspection of the hospital in August, and their review focused on three key areas: quality of hospital leadership; patients’ experience of their care; and whether the care provided was safe. In its report, HIS rated the hospital ‘Good’ on all three counts.

Inspectors noted that patient experience was regularly assessed, and that the hospital receives positive patient feedback, with high levels of satisfaction shown especially in patient care, where individual colleagues were named for the high-quality care and attention provided. The inspectors saw how patients were provided written aftercare instructions and information about any recommended follow-up when discharged. They commented on the role of the hospital’s patient experience co-ordinator who supports each patient’s admission and stay in the hospital, making sure their experience is as comfortable as possible.

Both the inspectors and patients commented on the cleanliness and tidiness of the hospital. Inspectors noted that the care environment and patient equipment were clean, equipment was fit for purpose and regularly maintained. They observed positive interactions between colleagues and patients, with colleagues describing Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Edinburgh as a good employer and the hospital as a good place to work.

HIS also praised the visibility of the hospital’s leadership and the way colleagues are supported with their development and education and how leaders listen to and value their colleagues. Inspectors noted that the hospital’s ‘freedom to speak up’ system enabled colleagues to speak with a nominated freedom-to-speak-up guardian in confidence if they had any concerns. Colleagues who inspectors spoke with were clear about their roles, responsibilities and how they could raise any concerns they had.

Spire Murrayfield and Spire’s other hospital in Edinburgh, Shawfair Park, employ over 500 colleagues and partner with 250 consultants. They see around 30,000 patients each year who come to the hospital for a range of treatment ranging from orthopaedics to ophthalmology, through to care for cancer and other critical conditions.

Julie Campbell, Hospital Director at Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Edinburgh, said: “I am very pleased that Healthcare Improvement Scotland has concluded that our hospital provides safe, high-quality care to patients and that they highlighted the positive feedback we receive from our patients. These results reflect the dedication of all my colleagues who every day live Spire’s Purpose of making a positive difference to people’s lives through outstanding personalised care.”

98% of Spire Healthcare’s inspected hospitals and clinics are rated ‘Good,’ ‘Outstanding’ or the equivalent by health inspectors in Scotland, England and Wales.