CQC threatens trust with 'serious consequences' over medicines storage

The warning follows an unannounced visit by inspectors to Southport and Formby District General Hospital, Southport, Merseyside, on 2 May 2012, following up a previous compliance review.

In a statement issued this week, the regulator said: “Inspectors found that the Trust was still failing to comply with Regulation 13, (management of medicines) and they have set a deadline by which the Trust must become compliant.”

It said inspectors found that the medication storage area in the hospital’s Emergency Assessment Unit did not have a door to ensure restricted access, and the medicines fridge in the area was unlocked. There was “no evidence” risk assessments had been undertaken by staff to assess the safety of current medication storage arrangements.

On one ward, inspectors found “in use” insulin had been incorrectly stored in the medicines fridge, despite the manufacturer’s instructions advising not to refrigerate once opened. In addition, the insulin had not been dated on opening or labelled appropriately.

Records had been signed by staff to indicate that medication had been administered in advance of it being taken, and inspectors were concerned that patients who were self medicating might not be receiving enough support to manage their medication safely.

Ann Ford, CQC Head of Compliance for the North West, said: “It is unacceptable that suitable improvement has not been made in this area, and that actions set following our inspection in December 2011 have not been met.

“Failure to meet government standards of medicines management, potentially puts patients at risk and this cannot be allowed to continue.

“This warning sends a clear and public message that Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust needs to address this issue as a matter of urgency or face serious consequences.

“Our inspectors will return to Southport and Formby District General in the near future and if we find that it is not making the required progress we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the patients who use this service.”