Expert Medical Negligence Lawyers Call For NHS Trust To Take Action After CQC Report

An NHS Trust responsible for three hospitals in Nottinghamshire has been branded “inadequate” and told it must improve standards of care or risk being taken over by another trust.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust needed to make a number of improvements to ensure it was "consistently delivering care which was safe, effective, caring, and responsive to people's needs”.

Both Kings Mill Hospital and Newark Hospital were rated as 'Inadequate Overall', while Mansfield Community Hospital was rated 'Requires Improvement'.

The Trust was placed into special measures two years ago because of concerns about mortality rates and standards of care, but following a further inspection the CQC recommended the trust remains in special measures.

Inspectors highlighted a number of issues at the Trust including concerns about the management of patients with sepsis, evidence that it did not always report incidents in an open and transparent way, and that essential lifesaving equipment was missing.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, the Chief Inspector of Hospitals, is now writing to the Secretary of State for Health to outline his concerns.

Karen Fisher, Acting Chief Executive at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are extremely disappointed about the shortfalls the Care Quality Commission has identified. We are sorry we have let down our patients by not meeting the high quality standards they rightly expect.”

Expert Opinion

“It is imperative that Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust take the findings of the CQC seriously and take swift action to make the necessary improvements which could potentially save lives. <br/> <br/>“We see the impact these kind of failings can have on patients and their families and it is vital that patient safety is the number one priority. <br/> <br/>“It is particularly concerning that instead of improving standards in Nottinghamshire’s hospitals the rating has in fact declined. Patients will now need reassurances that these problems are being rectified and that the Trust will provide the standard of care expected.” <br/> Julianne Moore - Partner