Stockport NHS Foundation Trust recognised for commitment to patient safety

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised in its commitment to patient safety in joint replacement surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital by receiving a top national award.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has been named as a National Joint Registry (NJR) Quality Data Provider after successfully completing a national programme of local data audits.

The NJR monitors the performance of hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes primarily for the benefit of patients, but also to support orthopaedic clinicians and industry manufacturers. The ‘NJR Quality Data Provider’ certificate scheme was introduced to offer hospitals a blueprint for reaching high quality standards relating to patient safety and to reward those who have met registry targets. 

Stepping Hill Hospital took part in development of the NJR Data Quality Audit when it was first piloted several years ago, and has been confirmed as a Quality Data Provider for the six consecutive years since official certification began. Hospitals are required to meet a series of six ambitious targets during the audit period 2020/21.

NJR targets include having a high level of patients consenting for their details to be included in the registry and for hospitals to demonstrate timely responses to any alerts issued by the NJR in relation to potential patient safety concerns.

David Johnson (pictured), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Data Quality Lead at Stepping Hill Hospital said:

“Ensuring the best possible standards of safety in our surgery is of the highest importance to us, and so we are hugely proud to have these standards confirmed at our Trust again. The knowledge that we are submitting our records to such a high standard assures us that the outstanding results for joint replacement within the Trust are a true reflection of the quality of care we deliver. We are also proud to assist the NJR in accurately informing clinical practice for the future.”

National Joint Registry Medical Director, Mr Tim Wilton, said:

“Congratulations to colleagues at Stepping Hill Hospital. The Quality Data Provider Award demonstrates the high standards being met towards ensuring compliance with the NJR and is often a reflection of strong departmental efforts to achieve such status. Registry data provides an important source of evidence for regulators, such as the Care Quality Commission, to inform their judgements about services, as well as being a fundamental driver to inform improved quality of care for patients.”