When we met the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last week, so many patients, carers and the bereaved attended that we needed extra chairs, refreshments and time.
When the Council of Governors of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) met the CQC last week, only five out of the twenty-nine governors could be bothered to attend the inspection meeting.
We’re sure that the CQC will have been impressed by the governors’ dedication to the quality of care at NSFT.
Far more governors attend the Council of Governors’ routine tea and biscuit sessions which have repeatedly failed to hold NSFT to account.
One would think that, with NSFT rated Inadequate for Safety, the governors would have been keen to meet the CQC.
Then again, had they attended the meeting with NSFT’s regulator, they might have missed Bargain Hunt, Couples Come Dine with Me, Loose Women, or Big Brother.
There is a complete failure of good governance at NSFT.
There’s too much “Gary, Michael and Robert” and not enough representing the real interests of patients and carers.