20.04.15
TDA to conduct multiple reviews and send improvement director to troubled trust
The NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) is to investigate allegations of bullying and harassment at a troubled Midlands trust, and has appointed an improvement director to help turn around emergency care there.
Last week NHE reported on events at Worcestershire Royal, when West Midlands Ambulance Service had to dispatch its own doctor to treat patients in the corridors of the hospital while they waited to be handed over from paramedics to department staff.
A statement for the ambulance trust said that the decision was “not taken lightly” but was done because some of the patients were in considerable pain and displaying serious conditions.
“The trust had repeatedly asked clinical staff within the emergency department to triage the patients so that the most serious could be given pain relief or taken to wards to receive appropriate care. This was refused on a number of occasions,” the statement said.
One patient was cared for by ambulance staff on the corridor for over five hours despite complaining of cardiac-related chest pains. Another patient who was recovering after an epileptic fit waited over four hours and a third patient was cared for by ambulance staff despite suffering from a suspected pulmonary embolism.
The ambulance service said it had raised concerns about the hospital to the CQC on numerous occasions. In February alone it had to look after 434 patients in the corridors of the hospital, accounting for 687 hours of ambulance service time.
Now the NHS TDA has announced it will be conducting reviews into Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital. The reviews will look at how emergency care could be improved and investigate allegations of bullying and harassment.
The TDA is also appointing an improvement director and sending additional support staff to help turn around the trust.
A spokesperson for the NHS Trust Development Authority said: “Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is currently facing considerable challenges. To help the trust to tackle these, we have commissioned reviews into how emergency care could be improved and to investigate allegations around bullying and harassment. These reviews are expected to report shortly.
“In the meantime, the NHS TDA is appointing an improvement director and providing additional senior clinical support. These individuals will work with the trust on immediate and sustainable changes to overcome the current challenges that they face.
“Despite significant pressures, staff in the emergency departments and ambulance service are demonstrating very high levels of commitment to maintain patient safety. We will support the trust and its staff as they work with local health and social care partners to deliver necessary improvements.”
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