Hospital chiefs ‘surprised’ at damning report verdict

‘We find it hard to recognise the trust in important areas’

Governors of the ‘failing’ east Kent hospitals trust say they are “surprised and disappointed” with the results of a damning report.

Earlier this month, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) released a shocking review following an inspection carried out in March of the William Harvey, in Ashford, and east Kent’s two other acute hospitals, the Kent and Canterbury and Margate’s the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital.

The report rated the K&C and William Harvey as “inadequate” and the QEQM as “requiring improvement”.

The East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust was rated “inadequate” overall.

A joint statement released on behalf of all 26 members of the council of governors (CoG) this week said: “The CoG shares the trust’s surprise and disappointment at the CQC’s very negative findings and conclusions, and is naturally concerned that so many of the trust’s services have been judged to be so lacking.

“We recognise that there are important areas where the trust needs to make improvements. Many have already been identified and form part of the trust’s programme for the future.

“In other areas highlighted by the CQC, we acknowledge the improvement plan that is being developed by the trust.

“We look forward to playing a key part in monitoring its implementation.”

However, the CoG add that they found the ratings of the report misleading in several areas and considers that in some instances, the evidence used by the Commission to support the overall ratings is extremely limited.

The statement continues: “The CoG constantly monitors and interacts with the Trust Board over strategy, patient safety, quality and a wide range of other issues. We find it hard to recognise the trust in several important areas of the CQC’s assess- ment. The CoG is aware of the challenges facing the National Health Service as a whole – including in the critical area of staffing and staff recruitment – and the particular challenges that face this trust.”

The trust is now waiting to hear whether it will be placed into special measures.

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FM3347130 INSPECTION: The William Harvey Hospital was rated as ‘inadequate’