HC Deb 29 October 2001 vol 373 c559W
Mr. Mike O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure improvements take place in the running of Coventry and Warwickshire University Hospital Trust following the publication of the recent report by the Commission for Health Improvement. [9743]

Mr. Hutton

The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) report highlighted several issues at the Coventry and Warwickshire University Hospitals national health service trust that need to be improved. The trust was given three months to produce an agreed action plan for improvement, and is also expected to show signs of improved performance during this time.

Officials from the West Midlands Regional Office (WMRO) met the executive directors of the trust to give feedback and guidance on the formulation of their action plan. This is an evolving strategy requiring further work to demonstrate how the change will be delivered. The performance of the trust will be monitored monthly by officials from the WMRO during the initial three month period.

Clinical safety is paramount in the provision of health care and CHI plays a central role in our plans to drive up the quality of care in the NHS, as outlined in the NHS Plan.