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Biggest NHS trust is failing on safety and quality of care, says watchdog Biggest NHS trust is failing on safety and quality of care, says watchdog
(about 1 hour later)
Inspectors have criticised the NHS’s largest hospital trust after finding it is seriously understaffed, focuses too little on safety and has cancelled operations many times because there were too few beds. Inspectors have criticised the NHS’s largest hospital trust after finding it is seriously understaffed, focuses too little on safety and has cancelled operations on numerous occasions because there were too few beds.
The Care Quality Commission has found a series of failings in the safety and quality of care being provided at Barts health trust in London, where major problems – including a deficit approaching £100m – have led to the recent departure of its two main bosses.The Care Quality Commission has found a series of failings in the safety and quality of care being provided at Barts health trust in London, where major problems – including a deficit approaching £100m – have led to the recent departure of its two main bosses.
A report from the CQC, the NHS care watchdog, said: “Overall, this trust was rated inadequate. We identified significant concerns in safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and with the leadership of the trust. We found that caring at this trust requires improvement.”A report from the CQC, the NHS care watchdog, said: “Overall, this trust was rated inadequate. We identified significant concerns in safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and with the leadership of the trust. We found that caring at this trust requires improvement.”
Inspectors who examined the operation of the Royal London hospital and Newham general hospital, two of the trust’s six hospitals, also uncovered evidence of bullying, a blame culture, poor morale and patients ending up on wards that were unsuited to their medical needs.Inspectors who examined the operation of the Royal London hospital and Newham general hospital, two of the trust’s six hospitals, also uncovered evidence of bullying, a blame culture, poor morale and patients ending up on wards that were unsuited to their medical needs.
The trust was put into special measures in March after a CQC inspection of another of its hospitals, Whipps Cross, resulted in a damning report into its care and how it was run.The trust was put into special measures in March after a CQC inspection of another of its hospitals, Whipps Cross, resulted in a damning report into its care and how it was run.
The Royal London, which has regularly featured in television shows, is one of the NHS’s oldest hospitals and a renowned centre for the treatment of trauma patients, including stabbing victims.The Royal London, which has regularly featured in television shows, is one of the NHS’s oldest hospitals and a renowned centre for the treatment of trauma patients, including stabbing victims.
But CQC officials who visited it and Newham general in January voiced concern that:But CQC officials who visited it and Newham general in January voiced concern that:
Safeguarding procedures for children and adults were inadequate. Steve Ryan, the trust’s chief medical officer, said: “We are very sorry for the failings identified by the CQC in some of our services at Newham and the Royal London hospitals. We know we have a big challenge ahead but we are determined to rise to that challenge.”Safeguarding procedures for children and adults were inadequate. Steve Ryan, the trust’s chief medical officer, said: “We are very sorry for the failings identified by the CQC in some of our services at Newham and the Royal London hospitals. We know we have a big challenge ahead but we are determined to rise to that challenge.”
He added that “rapid and dramatic improvements in key areas” are already being made. For example, Barts is recruiting 500 more permanent nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants.He added that “rapid and dramatic improvements in key areas” are already being made. For example, Barts is recruiting 500 more permanent nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants.
Peter Morris, the trust’s chief executive, resigned in February, as did the chief nurse, Prof Kay Riley. Barts announced on Friday that Alwen Williams, who has been an NHS manager for 35 years, has been appointed as interim chief executive. The trust has more than 15,000 staff, a turnover of £1.25bn and serves a population of 2.5 million people in the capital.Peter Morris, the trust’s chief executive, resigned in February, as did the chief nurse, Prof Kay Riley. Barts announced on Friday that Alwen Williams, who has been an NHS manager for 35 years, has been appointed as interim chief executive. The trust has more than 15,000 staff, a turnover of £1.25bn and serves a population of 2.5 million people in the capital.
CQC inspectors also found “a very committed workforce who felt undervalued by trust leadership, but valued by their patients and colleagues”. Only 32% of staff recommended it as a good place to work, the third lowest in the NHS.CQC inspectors also found “a very committed workforce who felt undervalued by trust leadership, but valued by their patients and colleagues”. Only 32% of staff recommended it as a good place to work, the third lowest in the NHS.
But inspectors also found many areas of good or outstanding practice, including patients’ outcomes at both hospitals being at or above the national average across most medical and surgical specialties.But inspectors also found many areas of good or outstanding practice, including patients’ outcomes at both hospitals being at or above the national average across most medical and surgical specialties.