Royal Sussex County Hospital inspection finds 'failings'

A snap inspection of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton has found failings in four of six areas.

The visit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) took place between 9 and 11 April following concerns that standards were not being met.

The hospital's chief executive Matthew Kershaw told staff in a newsletter the failures identified had a "moderate impact on patient care".

The CQC said it would publish its findings in four weeks.

The hospital said it would not reveal what the failings were until the report was published.

'Need to do better'

In the newsletter Mr Kershaw said: "They [the CQC] didn't see anything which caused them such extreme concern that they felt the need to issue a warning notice.

"They did, however, identify a number of areas where we need to do better, but they are assured enough of our handle on these to give us time to sort them."

In March a senior GP warned that redevelopment at the hospital could lead to a deterioration of patient care.

And in April it was revealed that the hospital, alongside the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, was the worst in England for the number of patients waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to A&E.