Barts Health NHS Trust put into special measures after damning inspection report

Barts Health NHS Trust, has been put into special measures after the Care Quality Commission branded core services at Whipps Cross Hospital “inadequate”.

The inspectors’ report detailed 208 serious incidents in the past year, including the deaths of two unborn babies, and a new mother and child soon after birth.

The Trust is the largest in the country and serves more than 2.5 million people across London. Its hospitals include St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, The London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green, Newham University Hospital in Plaistow, Mile End Hospital and Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone.

Whipps Cross Hospital was served with improvement notices after an inspection in November 20013. The Trust has now been placed into special measures as many of the failings found in that inspection have not been resolved, affecting the quality and safety of patient care.

The scathing report found a culture of bullying and harassment, low morale amongst staff, bed blocking, and a failure to meet national waiting time targets, both in A & E and in relation to routine procedures. Staff shortages across all services and a reliance on agency and locum staff were noted to increase risk to patients.

Agata Usewicz, Partner in our specialist clinical negligence team says “My team and I are already advising a number of clients in relation to bringing claims against Barts Health NHS Trust. While the CQC’s findings are shocking, we hope that improvements will now be made as a result and that patient safety will no longer be compromised”.

If you have been affected by medical treatment provided at Whipps Cross Hospital, please contact us on 0207 874 8524 for confidential, free specialist advice in relation to making a complaint or bringing a claim.