Today, Julia Lopez met with Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive of Queen’s Hospital, to discuss local priorities for the hospital, including the campaign to redevelop the A&E department and issues relating to maternity services.
At the meeting, Mrs Lopez discussed Queen’s current proposals for redeveloping the A&E department, which went before the board earlier this year for discussion.
Mrs Lopez has supported the campaign for a new A&E since July 2024 and was pleased to hear that, not only had a formal funding submission NHS England had now been made, but that Mr Trainer was optimistic about the case they had presented. A decision is expected before summer and Mrs Lopez will continue to do all she can to support the bid.
In the meantime, Mr Trainer reported on improvements the Trust had already made to reduce the reliance on corridor care. Interventions from the Chief Nurse had delivered significant improvements reducing 10,0000+ hours of corridor care in February despite treating a similar number of patients.
The meeting also presented a valuable opportunity to further discuss the Trust’s efforts to improve maternity care and their interactions with the review being undertaken by Baroness Amos into maternity and neonatal care.
Baroness Amos recently published an interim report after visiting 12 NHS Trusts, including BHRUT, and interacting with over 400 families. Mrs Lopez had previously facilitated an opportunity for Baroness Amos to meet with a group of bereaved parents.
Mr Trainer acknowledged that maternity services at Queen’s have historically been poor, reaffirming the Trust’s condolences to bereaved parents alongside their commitment to identify failings and learn from them – including within the Amos review process. At their most recent inspection, the CQC improved their rating of the maternity services in Queen’s and Mrs Lopez will continue to support both bereaved parents and the Trust in their continuing improvement.
Parents that wish to contribute to the Amos review have until 17 March to provide feedback and can do so here.
Shortly before the meeting it was confirmed that Mr Trainer will soon be departing BHRUT to take a new position as CEO at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Mrs Lopez thanked Mr Trainer for his tenure as Chief Executive at BHRUT, the longest-ever, leaving the Trust in a stronger position than he found it, having provided stable leadership during a challenging period.
Julia Lopez MP said:
“I’m grateful as always to Matthew for the opportunity to meet and discuss how we can continue working together to secure the redevelopment of Queen’s A&E and improving maternity services.
“These are some of the biggest issues which residents contact me about across the year and it’s no surprise given how many people these two issues touch.
"Matthew took on the leadership of the Trust at a challenging time, during the midst of a global pandemic, with fragile finances and following a succession of interim predecessors. During his five year tenure, the longest-ever at the Trust, he has steadied the ship and delivered genuine improvements.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Matthew to further improve maternity services at Queen’s and to secure funding for a new A&E over his last few months in post.
“We will of course update residents when we have more information.”
Mrs Lopez will continue engaging with Queen’s Hospital leadership and will provide further updates as the work progresses.
