Although rated as "requires improvement" the CQC's report rated the Trust as "good" for care, recognising that it was among the best performing in the country[6] for the four-hour emergency care standard and other waiting targets, tackling C-Diff, and managing patients at risk of cardiac arrest.
[7] In October 2013 the Trust had been put into the highest risk category by the Care Quality Commission.
Only one of 18 high-level action points had been completed and it was rated inadequate for safety, effectiveness and being well-led.
[9] Sir Mike Richards recommended that the trust stay in special measures in October 2015 after the CQC reduced its rating to "inadequate".
The regulators had said the trust needed a "close tie-up with a long term partner" in order to improve.