CQC take action against NHS trust

The Care Quality Commission has taken enforcement action against East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust over standards of patient care.

If the trust does not improve rapidly, it will face a big fine.

The CQC have given a deadline of September 2 to address the shortcomings, after originally warning about the problems four months ago. Inspectors had found “institutional abuse” – defined as the mistreatment of people resulting from poor practice – on one ward, infection control was criticised and the report said patient dignity was compromised by facilities and staff attitudes.

Roxy Boyce, regional director at the CQC, said: “Despite the fact we have raised these concerns with the trust previously, they have not addressed them satisfactorily.

“There have been some improvements – but not enough.

“This warning notice sends a clear and public message that this trust now needs to address these shortcomings as a matter of urgency or face very serious consequences.”

The Trust’s chief executive, Darren Grayson, said “significant progress” had been made in addressing the concerns.