While we might rarely think about it, the state of our healthcare is integral to the safety and security we feel wherever we live. From a routine check-up at the doctor’s to lifesaving surgeries and procedures and everything in between, proper healthcare is integral to a healthy, long, and fulfilled life.
However, not everywhere in the country is the same, even regarding the healthcare facilities they have at their disposal. While some of the UK’s cities have earned a distinction as the country’s cleanest, far more fall below what we’d hope for. That’s the crux of some of our most pivotal hygiene reports here at Vanguard.
With our latest report, we’re placing the healthcare facilities of the East Midlands under the microscope. We’ll dissect key findings from the Care Quality Commission, and explore what that means for those living in the area, and where the worst areas for healthcare across the region are.
The East Midlands is one of the UK’s most diverse landscapes, sandwiching major cathedral cities and metropolises between the far-flung reaches of the Lincolnshire Wolds and the southern fringes of the Peak District. With such an ideal backdrop comes an equally pleasant overall picture of the region’s healthcare statistics, too.
4 in every 5 medical facilities in the East Midlands (or 82.7%) earned a rating of either “Good” or “Outstanding” under the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) 4-tiered ranking system. A closer look reveals that an impressive 6.6% (417 facilities) received that fabled “Outstanding” rating – a key indicator that the facility is exceeding what the CQC expects.
A great example of that comes from St Georges Medical Practice in West Bridgford, which secured that “Outstanding” rating across 8 of the 11 different measures by which the CQC analyses healthcare facilities.
Looking further into the statistics, we find that the bulk (76.1%, or 4,779 facilities) of healthcare in the East Midlands is rated as “Good”. This is the CQC’s certification that the medical facility is meeting the standards they expect, but also that there’s still scope to improve in what they provide to patients and visitors.
That’s unfortunately where the good news for East Midlands locals ends. As we’ve touched on, the majority of the East Midlands’ healthcare facilities are meeting or exceeding the standards the CQC sets out, but there are still more that aren’t up to scratch.
A concerning 1 in every 6 (or 1,030) healthcare facilities in the area fall short of what’s expected, with the Care Quality Commission awarding them the “Requires Improvement” status. Deeper still, 55 (or just under 1%) healthcare premises are failing under the CQC’s guidelines, branded as “Inadequate” by the watchdog.
Of course, not every area of the East Midlands shares the same issues with their healthcare facilities. Let’s break down where you’ll find the worst areas for healthcare in the region, and what that might mean for you.
We’ll analyse the worst towns and cities for healthcare in the East Midlands, as well as the statistics that earn them their spot on this list.
So named for its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, Coalville has since revolutionised its image, becoming a thoroughly modern town on the outskirts of the ever-popular Leicester. As both a feeder town for the major city, and a monument to the region’s historic contributions, it’s disheartening to see Coalville head up the list of the worst areas for healthcare in the East Midlands.
The town faces a couple of notable concerns. While none of the area’s healthcare facilities are ranked as “Inadequate”, 9 of the 46 medical services adjudged by the CQC were rated as “Requiring Improvement”. Also of note is that, while 35 facilities were rated “Good”, none have yet gone on to achieve the “Outstanding” accolade.
Officially rated as one of the UK’s best market towns, Louth’s leafy locale on the fringes of the Lincolnshire Wolds ensures it’s a mainstay when we imagine some of England’s lesser-known areas of natural beauty. Despite those exquisite surroundings, Louth’s healthcare facilities aren’t as idyllic.
Of the 20 healthcare facilities rated by the CQC, only 16 are rated as “Good” or above, with a further 4 falling below the expected standards. There’s a redeeming quality, however, with 1 of Louth’s care home facilities securing that much-sought-after “Outstanding” rating.
One of urban Leicestershire’s major residential areas, and home to the county’s front-running rugby team Leicester Tigers, Oadby has long been a popular destination. Undercutting the region’s parklands and retail empires, however, is the less-than-stellar medical facilities.
An estimated 22% fall below the threshold the CQC expects, with 66 healthcare providers across Oadby rated as “Requiring Improvement”, and a further 1 deemed “Inadequate”.
The unassuming town of Wigston sits at the periphery of the wider Leicester area, offering a more sedate pace than the city itself while still retaining proximity to the convenience a major metropolis provides. However, Wigston’s issues with healthcare are all its own.
An estimated 22% (or 67) of the town’s healthcare facilities fall below the standards the Care Quality Commission expects, with 66 rated as “Requires Improvement”, and 1 unsatisfactory facility ranked as “Inadequate”.
Often twinned with its neighbouring Bosworth, Hinckley is perhaps best known for its recent resurgence, with new housing developments over the last 70 years designed to inject new life. It’s worked for the most part, with the town’s population seeing a substantial increase, but that’s sadly not led to equally robust medical services.
Hinckley earns a spot among the East Midlands’ worst for healthcare, with 17 facilities falling below the expected standards and requiring improvement. 1 specific facility was rated as “Inadequate”, and the CQC has already begun putting special measures into place.
There’s little to be said of Leicester that’s not already been discussed thousands of times over. As a bastion of sporting prowess, culture and arts, the city’s reputation often precedes it. Hidden beneath that, however, are concerning statistics surrounding Leicester’s healthcare facilities.
While there’s good news in that 7 of the city’s medical services achieved that “Outstanding” rating, the grim picture comes when we look at the facilities that need improvement. The latest CQC data identified 86 services that needed improvement, with an additional 1 that fell far below the standards at “Inadequate”.
The subject of many regeneration efforts in the last 20 years, Corby’s place as a stalwart Northamptonshire town has never been a doubt. While the town may have appealed unsuccessfully for city status back in 2012, it can’t eschew the issues it faces with its healthcare facilities.
11 of Corby’s medical services fall short of the CQC’s standards, earning that concerning “Requires Improvement” status.
Lodged in Lincolnshire’s South Kesteven district, Bourne’s leafy suburban locale, coupled with the keen sense of the region’s religious roots, ensures it’s an attractive prospect for people of all ages. Less appealing, however, is the area’s reputation for its medical facilities.
Of course, the standout statistic is that 1 of Bourne’s GP practices has earned that iconic “Outstanding” rating, but a deeper dive reveals more concerning numbers. That’s chiefly because 3 of Bourne’s 13 evaluated facilities have received the “Requires Improvement” status.
One of the UK’s most infamous seaside destinations, and the backdrop for many a happy memory for those who’ve visited, the town of Skegness has cultivated a reputation of two halves. While it’s no doubt got a distinct seaside charm, the area’s healthcare services earn a spot among the worst in the East Midlands.
While only 17 of Skegness’ 38 healthcare options have been evaluated by the CQC, the picture so far makes for grim reading. Of those 17, 4 already fall below the expected standards, many of which are in a central location.
One of Derbyshire’s more refined options for the discerning visitor, the spa town of Buxton has close ties with the nationally renowned bottled water. Despite that reputation for the crystalline waters, its healthcare facilities don’t share that same cleanliness.
A concerning 24% (or just shy of 1 in 4) of Buxton’s healthcare facilities don’t make the grade, according to the CQC. While 19 of Buxton’s medical services secure a “Good” rating, 6 more fall short and “Require Improvement” under the Care Quality Commission’s stringent standards.
A resplendent market town nestled at the heart of Bassetlaw, Retford’s self-contained economy and array of green spaces and parklands make it a hidden gem among the Nottinghamshire countryside. Less appealing, though, is Retford’s persistent problems with its healthcare facilities.
1 in every 4 of the town’s medical services fall below the standards outlined by the Care Quality Commission, with 6 of the region’s healthcare facilities earning that less-than-desirable “Requires Improvement” rating.
The namesake of one of the East Midlands’ largest counties, and a major metropolis in its own right, Northampton’s status means it’s often mistaken for a city, especially given the thriving Guildhall, stately architecture and historical significance. That’s not translated to the region’s healthcare facilities, however.
The most worrying statistic is that 3 of Northampton’s medical services have been rated as “Inadequate” by the CQC, meaning they’re far below the standards we’d expect, and that corrective action has had to be taken. That trio comes alongside a further 48 that Require Improvement.
One of the more historic hidden gems of Lincolnshire, Boston retains that keen sense of its past prowess in a huge range of different aspects, from its gorgeous architecture to the port town influences along the river banks. Less prominent are its healthcare services, 27.6% of which fall below the CQC’s standards.
Looking more closely, Boston has 7 medical services that “require Improvement”, and a further 1 that’s been deemed inadequate. Perhaps more concerningly, the majority of these are within a mile of the city centre.
On the cusp of Northamptonshire’s border with Warwickshire, the market town of Daventry seamlessly joins the bustling nature that the twin counties are known for with a more sedate pace of life. That blend hasn’t extended to the town’s medical facilities, which earn it a spot among the worst areas for healthcare in the East Midlands.
While there’s a note of positivity in the 1 facility that was rated as “Outstanding”, a further 5 fell short of what’s expected, rated as “Requiring Improvement” by the Care Quality Commission.
While Gainsborough has cultivated a reputation as both a literary destination and one grounded in the real world, it’s quickly earning a secondary one as the worst area for healthcare across the East Midlands.
While only 20 of the region’s facilities have so far been reviewed, 7 have already been given that worrying “Requires Improvement” rating, with more expected as the CQC continue its analysis in the coming months.
Intending to be as transparent and objective as possible, we’ve used data directly from the Care Quality Commission’s data repository, which shows us the rating a service has received, and how the CQC grades the healthcare facilities.
As a cross-section, we’ve taken data from the East Midlands’ 60 most populous areas, all within a 5-mile radius of the centre of the town or city. This does mean there’s some slight crossover, such as Leicester General Hospital covering the Leicester city area, as well as surrounding locations like Wigston, Scraptoft and Oadby.
Our data only covers those services that have been rated by the CQC, in order to maintain a fair overview. This means our dataset covers 6,281 services (of a possible 18,025), and guarantees we’re only analysing what’s been officially reviewed.
