Trust leadership accused of lack of ‘oversight’ hits out at CQC ‘algorithm’

Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust – formed by the 2020 merger of Mid Essex Hospitals Services Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital Trust and Southend University Hospital FT – has been told to make urgent improvements after inspectors found a deterioration in quality across its Broomfield, Basildon and Southend hospitals. 

The overall ratings for Broomfield and Basildon hospitals have dropped to “inadequate” as a result. All three hospitals were also downgraded to “inadequate” from “requires improvement” for their medical services. They were also rated “inadequate” for well-led, as well as on the safe and effective measure. 

The trust remains rated “requires improvement” overall. 

The CQC carried out a focused inspection in January and February that was prompted by concerns over the safety and quality of medical care and older people’s services, including over people’s nutrition and hydration.

Hazel Roberts, CQC deputy director in the east of England, said inspectors “found a leadership team who didn’t have complete oversight of the issues they’re facing”. 

Among the concerns raised by the CQC’s report were the safety of the premises and equipment, a lack of nursing and support staff, staff not always respecting people’s dignity and privacy, and risk assessments not always being completed and updated.

However, the CQC added the trust has already provided it with an action plan for addressing the concerns raised in the warning notice. 

Hannah Coffey, MSEFT acting chief executive, said: “This is a hugely disappointing report. Work is already well under way to address the issues raised, and that was recognised by the inspectors.”

She added: “We are disappointed that, while there are no other services apart from medicine rated as inadequate at any of our hospital sites, the algorithm used by the CQC means they have now rated Broomfield and Basildon Hospitals as inadequate overall.”

Ms Coffey, who will be replaced by Worcester Acute Hospitals Trust CEO Matthew Hopkins later this year, said their previous ratings were erased during the merger which created MSEFT and they had only been inspected on a “very small number” of services since.