The biggest NHS hospital trust in England, Barts Health NHS Trust, has today (17th March) been placed in special measures following a damning report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Issues were raised relating to patient safety and the CQC’s report also revealed there was a culture of bullying at Whipps Cross hospital, which forms part of Barts Health NHS Trust and runs six hospitals across east London.
The Trust said it was committed to ensuring the safety of “every one of its patients”. But Sir Mike Richards, Chief Inspector of hospitals, said it needed to “get a grip on what is happening”.
A number of serious concerns were uncovered at the hospital including insufficient staffing levels and low morale amongst staff, as well as extensively high bed occupancy and a failure to meet national waiting time targets.
Peter Morris, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “We are very sorry for the failings identified by the CQC in some of our services at Whipps Cross and we know the Trust has a big challenge ahead.
“Much has been done but we recognise that more needs to be done. We will take all the necessary steps to raise quality standards at Whipps Cross.”