Legal Experts React To CQC’s Formal Warning Over Problems

By Rob Dixon

Medical law experts have warned that standards of care in the emergency department of Queen’s Hospital in Romford must be urgently improved, after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a formal warning regarding quality of care.

The watchdog has taken the step after the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust failed to meet two of three national standards which were reviewed during an unannounced two-day inspection at the site, which was undertaken following concerns raised in December 2012.

According to the CQC, inspectors found patients brought to the hospital by emergency ambulance waiting too long for assessment.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist medical negligence lawyers specialist in representing people who have suffered serious injury or illness as a result of errors or failings in hospital treatment and care, as well as the families of those who have died following such problems.

Alison Eddy, a Partner and head of the national law firm’s Medical Negligence team in London, said: “It is very worrying to see ongoing concerns related to Queen’s Hospital in Romford, especially considering the issues raised towards the end of last year.

“The local community will be hugely worried by the fact that standards are still being deemed an issue at the hospital and will want reassurances that lessons will finally be learned that will ensure patient safety improvements are seen.

“It is absolutely vital that the issues seen across recent months are not repeated and all patients being treated at the hospital must get the care and support they deserve.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Medical Negligence Claims