The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Following a comprehensive inspection we have rated Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust inadequate in both safety and well-led domains. In line with CQC policy we have considered recommending the trust go into special measures, such is the level of concern we have around quality and safety.

Special measures would involve the appointment of an improvement director and supporting infrastructure which would assure CQC that the trust had the capacity to improve at pace. Immediately following our inspection, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust was asked to assume leadership of the trust. Salford’s leadership team, rated outstanding in by CQC in its most recent comprehensive inspection of the trust, has put in place a comprehensive plan for further investigation into the challenges faced by Pennine Acute, with action plans to deliver improvement.