TWO of the region’s hospitals have told they must improve by the healthcare regulator amid concerns that staff shortages could be affecting patient care.

A 45-strong inspection team from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the James Cook University and Friarage Hospitals, provided caring, responsive and well led services.

But improvements were required in order to provide safe and effective care.

The Commission highlighted nursing staff shortages, particularly in urgent and emergency care and children’s services.

This led to a warning from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) which said the trust, like other trusts, were struggling to recruit sufficient clinical staff because the Government had failed to ensure enough nursing students were entering the profession.

RCN Northern spokesman Jake Turnbull also said plans to make more than £90m in cost savings over the next few years were “extremely challenging” and could have a further impact.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop said the closure of some walk-in centres and a minor injuries unit in east Cleveland had added to the pressure on James Cook’s A&E facility.

Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards said: “We came across numerous examples of excellent care and patients and their relatives were happy with their care and treatment.

“However I am concerned that shortages of staff in some departments may affect patient care.

“While there have been moves to improve the recruitment process, the trust must continue to make this is a priority.

“People are entitled to receive treatment and care in services which are consistently safe, effective, caring and responsive to their needs.”

Inspectors did identify a number of areas of excellent practice, particularly within the trust’s maternity services.

There was also praise for effective arrangements to manage and monitor the prevention and control of infection, while all areas inspected were visibly clean.

Some practices were rated outstanding including the setting up of a team of trained therapeutic volunteers to support dementia patients and a ‘baby buddy’ mobile phone app being piloted by community midwives to inform women of pregnancy issues.

The trust, which employs 9,000 staff, said it had been rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ in 89 of the 105 areas in which it was assessed.

Its chief executive Professor Tricia Hart said the trust had made significant improvements to staffing levels, particularly overnight staffing.

She said: “Patients and their families spoke highly of the care they had received and I am pleased that staff have been publicly recognised for the care they give.

“We’ve already made changes since the inspection but there are opportunities to further improve. I’m confident that the organisation will respond positively, resulting in a better evaluation when the CQC visits us again.”

:: The South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to receive help to implement an improved action plan aimed at cutting rising rates of C.difficile infection after enforcement action by health sector regulator Monitor.