Archived: Runcorn Road Dialysis Unit

Runcorn Road Dialysis Unit provides dialysis services for Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust adult renal patients. It has a total of 27 dialysis stations. An open-plan clinic area provides 24 stations, two are in isolation rooms and one is a self-care room.

The nurse-led unit is supported by renal consultants based at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. The trust’s renal directorate matron has overall responsibility for nursing across the trust’s dialysis services including the Runcorn Road unit.

We inspected the unit using our comprehensive inspection methodology, as part of our comprehensive inspection of the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. We carried out an announced inspection on 19 October 2016.

We rated Runcorn Road Dialysis Unit as good overall.

• Without exception, patients told us staff provided care that exceeded their expectations. Patients described staff as ‘excellent’, ‘marvellous’ and said nothing was ever too much trouble for them.
• Staff and managers were visibly patient-centred, and displayed a genuine caring attitude in every interaction we saw between them and their patients.
• Staff described the unit manager as ‘inspirational’ and a role model.
• The unit had an exceptionally positive culture, centred on caring for patients and supporting colleagues.
• Staff were happy, and believed their team was the best place to work in the trust.
• Openness and transparency about safety was encouraged and embedded amongst staff.
• The unit was extremely clean, and staff complied with ‘bare below the elbows’, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment guidelines.
• Staffing numbers met national guidelines.
• Mandatory training compliance exceeded the trust’s target level.
• Treatment was provided in line with national guidance.
• Staff appraisal rates exceeded the trust’s target.
• Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• The unit’s opening hours were appropriate to allow patients to attend for their regular treatment.
• Staff were familiar with and identified with the unit’s philosophy and the trust’s vision and values.
• Managers were visible, supportive and approachable.
• The unit had a positive culture, centred on caring for patients and supporting colleagues.

We saw several areas of outstanding practice including:

• Infection prevention and control practices at the unit were systematic, thorough and embedded. The unit and its equipment were spotlessly clean.
• Staff displayed an overwhelming enthusiasm for providing the best possible care and support for each and every one of their patients.
• Definitive access (using an arteriovenous fistula, graft or peritoneal catheter) rates were significantly better than the UK Renal Association’s clinical practice guidelines recommended.

Professor Sir Mike Richards

Chief Inspector of Hospitals