Cambridge Hospitals 'to be rated inadequate'

Cambridge would be the first of the Shelford Group of prestigious NHS teaching hospitals to receive the care watchdog’s worst rating. Providers rated inadequate for their leadership, and in one or more of the CQC’s other key inspection domains, are liable to be recommended for special measures by the chief inspector of hospitals.

Keith McNeil, who announced his resignation from the trust with immediate effect on Monday, told BBC local radio that he believed the CQC’s rating, which has not been officially released, was wrong.

“People’s lives are saved every day by that hospital. I cannot see why anybody would want to describe it as inadequate,” he said.

The CQC declined to comment. Its report is due to be published next week.

In addition to these concerns about care quality, the trust has struggled with the implementation of a major new IT system, which caused delays to patient appointments and emergency care.

It currently has a £20.6m deficit, £8.4m worse than planned. Monitor is currently investigating the FT over the IT system problems and how this has caused its financial position to worsen.