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

A NHS Trust responsible for Brighton and Sussex University hospitals has been placed in special measures after inspectors deemed it unsafe and poorly-led.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the hospital bosses had little insight into safety issues and “seemingly little appetite to resolve” them.

The report singled out The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton (RSCH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH), Haywards Heath, highlighting problems that went right through the trust; including failing to meet national standards on waiting times, a high cancellation rate on appointments and operations and delays in providing diagnostic results.

There were also other criticisms of overcrowding in the older buildings, reports of bullying and harassment by ethnic minority groups, inaccessible fire exits, low staffing levels and emergency patients staying in operating theatres' recovery area without appropriate facilities.

Dr Fairfield said: "It is clear from the CQC report that in many areas the trust has failed our patients and on behalf of the trust, I apologise unreservedly."

She said the Trust started to make fire safety changes within 20 minutes of the CQC raising concerns and that they had already redesigned part of the emergency department, was better at managing emergencies and recently opened a 24/7 surgical assessment unit.

Expert Opinion

“It is imperative that Brighton NHS Trust continue to take the findings of the CQC seriously and take swift action to make the necessary improvements which could potentially save lives.

“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.

The trust also needs to address the long-standing issues surrounding its people policies and implement an immediate programme of change to improve the culture of the organisation and the service to its patients.”

Ian Christian - Partner

If you or a loved one has suffered illness or injury after poor care in hospital, our medical negligence claims team could help you to secure compensation. Visit our Hospital Negligence Claims page for more information.