Criticism triggered student nurse withdrawal in Boston

The hospital has been recently criticised by the Care Quality Commission

A critical report from an independent watchdog was the reason for the withdrawal of student nurses from a Boston hospital, an NHS executive says.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council decided to remove more than 80 nurses and midwives from Boston Pilgrim hospital in July.

Hospital chief executive Andrew North said he understood the move was due to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

The CQC report in July said it had "serious concerns" about the hospital.

'Right direction'

The midwifery council has since announced that all the students will return to the hospital in stages - but has still refused to comment on the exact reason for the removal.

The CQC report said the hospital had not met required standards in 12 of 16 categories, including meeting the nutritional needs of patients and the care and welfare of people using services.

In the report, examples of poor standards included a patient who was "very unwell and in pain" but left untreated by medical staff for two days.

Inspectors also found patients were struggling to eat and drink and not being checked on properly by staff.

Mr North, the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust's chief executive, said changes had been introduced including a new hourly "care round" that checks on patients more often.

"We recognise we have more to do but we are undoubtedly moving in the right direction."

The students from the University of Nottingham, the University of Lincoln and The Open University were moved to other hospitals in Nottingham and Mansfield.