Northern Lincolnshire hospitals introduce 'back to basics' plan

The trusts hospitals, including Scunthorpe (pictured) were criticised

An NHS trust placed in special measures by the government said it had launched a "back to basics" plan for patients.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was investigated after higher-than-expected death rates at its hospitals.

The review identified problems with staffing levels and patient care in Goole, Grimsby and Scunthorpe.

Trust chief executive Karen Jackson said it was "taking action on the points raised".

Inspectors appointed by NHS England's medical director Prof Sir Bruce Keogh found that the trust had "inadequate staffing levels" and difficulty in recruiting medical staff.

The report also said that there were "concerns regarding hydration and feeding".

Ms Jackson said the report was "difficult to read" and that the trust had launched a "back to basics" campaign to improve the standards of patient care in the hospitals.

'Appalling examples'

The policy includes new water bottles and drinking tubes, allowing patients to drink water whenever they want rather than waiting for a nurse to bring it.

The trust said it was also piloting the use of volunteers on wards at meal times to help with the feeding of patients.

Ms Jackson said: "What it [the report] has allowed us to do is to take more swift action, to be very clear about our action plans and to tighten them where they need tightening.

"We've also gained some other ideas from the experience of the Keogh team that came to inspect us."

The Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole Andrew Percy has invited Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to visit the trust's hospitals to talk to patients and staff.

Mr Percy said people in the area were concerned about the quality of care at the hospitals.

"They have made progress but if you read the report yesterday, despite all the work and despite the improvements, there were some appalling examples and unacceptable examples of basic care not being delivered."