Mariam Gaddah from Lancaster Medical School had already served as a Governor at the Central Manchester Foundation NHS Trust. 

She put her skills to good use when she was invited to join the mock CQC inspection at hospitals run by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

The aim was to ensure that changes implemented following the publication of a critical CQC inspection report have shown results.

Mariam inspected the Accident and Emergency Department at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary as well as the Maternity wards, Labour ward and Paediatric ward at the Furness General Hospital in Cumbria.

 “This inspection was very interesting for me as a medical student as I was given an insight into the detailed dynamics and workings of the hospitals. This allowed me to appreciate and implement in my training excellent practices that I witnessed and learnt while on the inspection.

“It also taught me a lot about the philosophy and aims of the trust and how I as a medical student can contribute to the application of them.”

Mariam was invited to join the mock inspection team by Sue Smith, Executive Chief Nurse, UHMBT, who said: “By conducting these visits we can provide reassurance that the standards the CQC expect are implemented on wards throughout our hospitals.

“The mock inspection process aims to provide evidence of areas of excellent practice and to identify areas where there is further work to be undertaken. It is important that good practice is recognised and shared. It is also important that where there is room for improvement, that our front line teams are supported to achieve this.”