Royal Oldham Hospital

Updated 29 April 2025

Updated 11 October 2024

Medical care at the Royal Oldham Hospital is provided by the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. We carried out this assessment in response to information of concern.

The service was rated as requires improvement. Following the assessment, we issued the trust a warning notice under section 29 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 on 11 October 2024. The warning notice was issued due to concerns we had regarding the trust’s continuous flow model (CFM). Our concerns included the trust not having clear processes for decision making, clinical and environmental risk assessments relating to the transfer of patients to non-clinical spaces on medical wards as part of the model. We also identified regulatory breaches relating to responsivity, medicines management, and health and safety that did not form part of the warning notice. However, aside from our concerns, the service had a positive safety-focussed culture. Safety incidents and complaints were managed well, and lessons learned. Staff were compliant with mandatory training. Staff quickly acted upon patients who were at risk of deterioration. Records were stored securely, up to date and clear. The service provided treatment based on national guidance and evidence-based practice. Care was planned and organised with people and stakeholders to maintain safety and continuity of care. The service-controlled infection risks well. Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness. Leaders had the skills and experience to carry out their roles but did not always have resources and space to manage the priorities and issues the service faced.

Updated 22 December 2022

Updated 22 December 2022

Updated 22 December 2022