BOSSES at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust must submit a weekly report to the watchdog explaining how they are improving their service.

It follows a critical report from the Care Quality Commission, published this morning, with the NHS trust rated as requires improvement. Last year, the trust - which runs the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals - was rated good.

Inspectors warned that systems for identifying risks were not always effective. Not all doctors had completed training on how to spot signs of abuse, meaning “there was a risk patients may not be safeguarded from harm”. Not all services had enough nursing staff.

In the emergency department at the John Radcliffe Hospital, where more seriously injured Swindon residents can be sent, demand for services often outstripped bed spaces.

Dr Nigel Acheson , the CQC’s deputy chief inspector of hospitals, said: “Since our last inspection, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has not sustained the momentum and imbedded the improvements that were necessary. As a result, the trust’s overall rating has moved from Good to Requires Improvement.

“We have made it clear to the trust where it must take action to improve and have placed urgent conditions on the trust’s registration to ensure these improvements do take place. We will remove those conditions when we are satisfied that the trust has made sufficient progress to provide the quality of services that its patients are entitled to expect.

“However, I am pleased to note that the trust has a strong and engaged workforce who worked together for the benefit of patients, although it is concerning to find that some staff particularly those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act, did not always feel they were treated equitably.”

Following the inspection, the CQC demanded urgent action in three areas. The trust must ensure patients’ privacy in the main operating department, making sure windows and doors to theatres are obscured. Bosses should draw up an action plan showing how they will assess and reduce the risk of infection in the operating department. And the watchdog asked for weekly reports setting out the trust’s progress.

OUH said it had already made improvements to address the CQC’s concerns. A trust spokesman said: “The trust was aware that the theatres at the John Radcliffe required some refurbishment works, and had already been planning a schedule of works to start in April 2019 at the time of the CQC inspection in November 2018.

“Following the improvement notice issued by the CQC, we took immediate action including further minimising infection risks, carrying out remedial work to floors and cupboards, improving storage facilities, and adding privacy screens to all anaesthetic and theatre doors.

“The planned refurbishment works started on April 8, 2019, and are progressing well. They include sealing cracks on doors and walls to enable effective cleaning, and repairing floor tiles and damaged walls.”

Chief executive Dr Bruno Holthof thanked staff, whose kindness and compassion had been acknowledged by the CQC.