Calls for reform over filthy hospitals
Calls for reform over filthy hospitals
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Friday, 27, Nov 2009 11:03
By Richard James.
Health watchdogs have called for an urgent reform to hospital regulations after inspectors found a catalogue of failures at two hospitals in Essex.
Inspectors for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out spot checks at the sites, with problems such as blood on the floor and curtains, stained mattresses and a shortage of staff to treat children revealed at Basildon University hospital.
The Patients Association, an independent watchdog, said the current regulatory system in the health system was a "farcical box-ticking exercise" that would be too slow to respond to the failing uncovered at Basildon and Thurrock NHS Trust in Essex.
Director Katherine Murphy said: "How many times do the public need to keep hearing about this before the government is embarrassed enough to do something about it?
"The evidence was there but not acted on. That is completely unacceptable. The system of regulation and supervision needs to be urgently reformed."
The trust, which has two hospitals serving about 300,000 people, rejected claims it had been "complacent" and said concerns were not indicative of wider problems.
Trust chairman Michael Large said: "It is an extremely serious matter and we do not seek to underestimate its gravity.
"I want to reassure our local community that the safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority."
The CQC rated the trust as "good" in October, but a new report produced following an unannounced inspection produced damning results.
The inspectors found incidents of blood-splattered on trays used to carry equipment, a children's blood pressure cuff heavily stained with blood and resuscitation equipment past the use-by date.
A lack of privacy for patients was also highlighted and a lack of specialist staff to treat children.
More than 400 patients are said to have died needlessly over three years at Mid-Staffordshire NHS foundation trust due to healthcare failures.
Following the report, the CQC issued a warning notice demanding improvements to be seen by November 30th.
Commenting, Cynthia Bower, CQC chief executive, said: "Swift action is needed at Basildon to nip problems in the bud. We want to ensure the trust takes swift and positive action to prevent poor quality care.
"We believe that effective action will now take place as a result of this joint regulatory action."
The Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb, however questioned the current rating system.
"People have a right to know how on earth a hospital can be rated 'good' a few weeks before such serious failings come to light," he said.
"This government has set up a labyrinth of bodies and inspectors which are meant to ensure high quality standards in our hospitals - but it simply isn't working. This is yet another case where a hospital has passed the test on paper but where real patient safety has clearly been compromised."