Colchester Hospital prepares for new CQC inspection

Colchester Hospital is in special measures following the CQC report

An Essex hospital where three patients were put at risk of "serious harm" is facing another inspection.

Colchester Hospital was already at the centre of a police inquiry over alleged cancer waiting time "inaccuracies".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), who found three patients who had waited more than 100 days for treatment, said it would inspect again on 6 and 7 May.

Chair of the board of governors Dr Sally Irvine said she was monitoring the "detailed plan" for improvement.

'Increased numbers'

The CQC report, which is based on inspections carried out in August and September last year, said the trust had "failed to identify" the three patients with a longer than 100-day wait.

Inspectors said the patients "were placed at significant risk of harm through extensive treatment delays".

Colchester Hospital and Essex County Hospital were both put in special measures.