It has been reported that Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has been served with a warning notice by the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”).
The Trust is already facing an inquiry into poor maternity care following reports of dozens of deaths and babies left with brain damage caused by negligent care. In 2020, the Trust’s maternity services were rated as inadequate by the CQC, and after a follow-up visit in May of this year, it was found that, although there had been some improvements, there was still more work to do.
Now, the Trust has faced yet more criticism following another inspection by the CQC. The CQC inspectors have ordered the Trust to improve governance and culture at both the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital by serving them with a warning notice.
A CQC warning notice is served when systemic problems affecting an entire trust or service that could result in patient harm are found, and when care falls below what is legally required.
The CQC carried out a review of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust in July 2021. The CQC was reported to say:
“We carried out an inspection of the trust’s leadership in July 2021. Following that inspection, the trust was issued with a warning notice requiring it to take action to improve corporate and clinical governance and oversight of risk, and to ensure a more position, open and supportive culture across the organisation.”
Rupert Eggington, acting Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer for Nottingham University Hospitals Trust said:
“We expect their final report in September/October, but we were issued with a warning notice requiring us to take action to improve corporate and clinical governance and oversight of risk, and to ensure a more positive open and supportive culture across the organisation. We accept the CQC’s comments. Work is already underway to learn from the findings and make improvements so that the organisation is led as effectively as possible and we continue to provide world class care for our patients.”
Comment
This has clearly been a very troubling time at the Trust. They already face a very serious investigation in relation to maternity services, so these further reports of yet more systemic problems right at the root of the Trust is concerning.
Clearly, the Trust is going to be under scrutiny for some time and it is absolutely vital that leaps are taken with the improvements so urgently required to get this Trust back on track.
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Danielle Young is a Senior Associate in our highly regarded Medical Negligence team.
If you would like any advice in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, please contact Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.