Expert Calls For Lessons To Be Learned From Findings Of Unannounced Inspections

By Rob Dixon

Clear improvements need to be taken to ensure lessons are learned from concerns raised by inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in relation to care standards at The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, according to a medical negligence specialist.

The CQC carried out a series of unannounced inspections earlier this year and found that the hospital, operated by North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, was falling short on three national standards for care.

According to the body’s report, there were instances where patients had not “received care, treatment or support that met their needs in a timely manner”.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust responded to the report by stating that the findings were being taken seriously and steps are being made to ensure appropriate action is taken.

Angela Kirtley, a Partner and medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said the aim must be to ensure vital patient safety standards are being met.

She outlined: “Very serious concerns have been raised by the CQC in relation to The Cumberland Infirmary and it is absolutely vital that each concern highlighted is addressed.

“The NHS has a duty to ensure that patients are given the care and support they need, so to see concerns of this kind raised in conjunction with this hospital is a significant worry.

These issues will undoubtedly have caused concern across the local community and many will want answers over how the deterioration in standards was allowed to happen.

“This has been a difficult few months for the NHS, particularly following the report and fallout from investigations into standards at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. However, it is imperative that the organisation is able to put systems in place which ensure problems can be resolved swiftly, lessons learned and any individuals implicated are held to account.”

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