Worcestershire Royal emergency patients are 'at risk' says CQC

Worcestershire Royal Hospital says it has been a "difficult time"

Emergency patients at a Worcestershire hospital are "at risk", watchdogs have said following an inspection in March.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said there were no security measures in place at Worcestershire Royal's emergency department, while equipment was dusty or past its expiry date.

Inspectors said one child had been waiting two hours for pain relief while other patients were left in corridors.

The hospital trust said it had been a "difficult time".

'Out of date'

A "surprise" inspection was carried out following concerns about the accident and emergency departments at the Royal and Redditch's Alexandra Hospital, both of which the inspectors described as "high-risk services".

During the inspection, CQC officials said they found "out-of-date" equipment and patients being cared for in corridors by ambulance crews.

"We saw numerous examples where patient safety was at risk," the report said.

It said medication was not given "in a timely manner" and patient notes were not up-to-date.

There were also "inadequate" security arrangements, with the doors to the emergency department being left open, allowing unauthorised access.

Inspectors called on the trust to address its concerns "urgently", highlighting the need for sufficient "suitably qualified" staff.

The CQC's chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said a condition had been placed on the trust's registration of the A&E service with the watchdog.

"Our inspectors will return to the trust unannounced at a future date to check on whether improvements have been made. If improvements are not made we will consider what further action we need to take," he said.

"Significant work is needed to improve services at the trust so that it meets the standards people have a right to expect."

A comprehensive inspection of the hospital will take place in July and the trust will be rated by the CQC.

Emergency departments under pressure

• January: Paramedic Stuart Gardner blows the whistle on overcrowding in Worcester's corridors

• February: Five emergency specialists leave the trust claiming the "massive overcrowding" was a disgrace and caused "serious harm" to many patients

• 23 March: The BBC reports two cardiac arrests in the corridor in one week and 28 patients waiting to access the emergency department

• March: The Care Quality Commission undertakes an unannounced inspection. A risk summit involving all health parties in the county takes place the next day

• Easter 2015: Routine surgery is cancelled ahead of the Easter holiday to free up beds and ensure the smooth running of A&E

In a statement, the trust said it had made a number of "significant improvements" since the report.

Both hospitals are run by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which plans to downgrade A&E in Redditch and treat more patients at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The changes risk "fatally weakening" the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, according to the Worcestershire Local Medical Committee (WLMC), a body representing doctors in Worcestershire.

The WLMC said it has "no confidence" the trust can implement the changes.

In an "unprecedented" move in April, West Midlands Ambulance Service sent the Medical Incident Officer to Worcestershire Royal following delays in treatment.

Chris Tidman, acting chief executive, said: "The report reflects what was a very difficult time for our emergency departments - particularly at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"We know that improvement was needed in some areas of our practice and have been working hard to make the necessary changes."