Southend and Basildon hospitals’ medical care rated ‘inadequate’

The Care Quality Commission has found that all three hospitals run by the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust – Southend, Basildon and Broomfield – have issues relating to waiting times, equipment, and a lack of nursing and support staff.

The watchdog says it carried out this unannounced focused inspection because they received information giving them “concerns about the safety and quality of the services of medical care and older people’s services”.

The information of concern related to the quality of care provided, including patient nutrition, hydration, pressure care and the management of risks, the CQC’s report said.

The key issues highlighted in the CQC’s report as the reasons for the “inadequate” rating are as follows: 

• The service “did not have enough staff with the appropriate skills” to care for patients and keep them safe.
• Staff “did not always keep up to date with training” in key skills.
• The service “did not always manage infection risk well”.
• “Not all staff” used equipment and control measures to protect patients, themselves and others from infection.
• Staff “did not always complete and update risk assessments” for each patient to remove or minimise risk.
• Staff “did not always keep detailed records” of patients’ care and treatment.
• The maintenance and use of facilities, premises and equipment “did not always keep people safe”.
• Staff “did not always support patients” to receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
• Staff “did not always respect patient privacy and dignity”.
• Governance systems and processes “were not effective” in relation to staff complying with internal quality standards, improving patient care, or patient outcomes.
• Systems and processes for identifying, recording and managing risks and performance “were not effective”.

A number of positives were also highlighted in the report – which was published yesterday. 

The CQC stated “people were treated with compassion and kindness. People’s individual needs were supported and staff helped them understand their conditions.”

“Staff also provided emotional support to people and their loved ones” it adds. 

The mid and south Essex trust has remained as “requires improvement” overall, and with medical services rated “inadequate” in terms of safety, effectiveness and how well-led they are.

Bosses said it is a “hugely disappointing” report and insisted work is already well underway to address the issues raised, which was recognised by the inspectors.