CQC finds an Essex hospital's care "completely unacceptable"

Essex's Basildon hospital has been warned its services for children must improve after they were found "completely unacceptable" by the CQC. 

The healthcare regulator visited Basildon Hospital after a girl, 10, died of a suspected drugs error. Inspectors found a number of problems and had many concerns after the visit.

Andrea Gordon, the CQC's deputy director of operations (regions), said "We have taken this action to assist in driving through improvements which have a positive impact on the people being cared for at the hospital."

"It is imperative that the trust now ensures it makes changes which are sustainable, embedded and maintained for the future."

In July, the hospital was told by the CQC to make improvement in its accident and emergency department and on adult wards. When the CQC carried out further inspections, in August and September, improvements were found to have been made.

Inspectors are due to return in the near future, if the required progress has not been made the CQC will take legal action to protect those who use the service.

Since the visit from the CQC the hospital made immediate changes to improve care. Basildon hospital has said that they are committed to improving the standards of care which they deliver to children.

The CQC found: 

- Some children waited more than an hour to see a doctor.

- Staff said there were often considerable delays in children       receiving appropriate medical attention when concerns over their condition deteriorating were 'escalated' to doctors.

- Complaints have been made by staff about the lack of senior medical and nursing staff available on the ward.

- Out of date medication was found.

- Inspectors saw reports showing a significant drop in permanent paediatric consultants' availability in the last few weeks but it was not clear what action had been taken with regard to this.

- The trust was found to be failing to plan and deliver care to meet the needs of children in a way that ensured their welfare and safety.

(Source: BBC News, November 2012)

(Image: ricardodiaz11, Flickr)