Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary criticised by watchdog

A different trust is soon to take over the running of the hospital

Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary fell short on three national standards for care, the health watchdog found.

The Quality Care Commission (CQC) carried out unannounced inspections in March.

It found patients left in wet beds, having long delays in A&E, and put at risk by badly-maintained records.

The hospital, run by North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, is already being investigated over higher-than-expected mortality rates.

Trust acting director of nursing Chris Platton said it was "very alarmed" by the report.

"There can be no excuses for some of the experiences that both our staff and patients have endured, which fall way below the standards of care that any of us would expect," she said.

She said demands placed on nurses "working extremely hard in immensely challenging circumstances" were "far too great" and extra staff were being recruited.

'Unsafe or inappropriate'

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is in the process of taking the hospital over, along with Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital.

The CQC said "action was needed" to improve the care and welfare of patients who used Cumberland Infirmary.

Its report stated: "We found that patients had not received care, treatment or support that met their needs in a timely manner.

"There were not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

"People were not protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were not maintained."

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said the report was "extremely worrying".

RCN northern regional director Glenn Turp said: "The RCN has repeatedly highlighted our concerns since 2009, but successive management teams have failed to take any action.

"The Department of Health has to step in as a matter of urgency, because something is very wrong at this trust."