King’s Mill Hospital has been rated as inadequate in the latest report by inspectors.
Last year the hospital, near Sutton-in-Ashfield, was rated as requiring improvement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), but is now graded ‘inadequate’, based on new standards.
In a detailed report, inspectors wrote: “We identified significant concerns in safety and leadership of the trust (which runs the hospital).
“We found that effectiveness and responsiveness required improvement but the caring was good.”
Eight areas were inspected with three rated as inadequate, and three as requiring improvement.
Those classed as inadequate include urgent and emergency services, medical care, and outpatients and diagnostic imaging.
Each area is rated against five different criteria; ‘safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led’.
Picture: The CQC’s official report gradings show the hospital is now ‘inadequate’ in three out of eight key areas
In a statement addressed to patients, Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, which runs King’s Mill, said: “We are extremely disappointed about the shortfalls the CQC has identified.
“We are sorry we have let you down by not meeting the quality standards you rightly expect from us. And we want to reassure you we are working hard to make the necessary improvements.
“We do not want you to be put off seeking advice or receiving treatment because of this. It is really important you continue to attend our hospitals for appointments, operations and treatment as planned. Whilst we have improvements to make in some services we are working with focus and pace to address them.”
Timeline: How inspectors have turned up the heat on Kings Mill and its hospital trust
February 2013 – Trust is named as one of 14 healthcare providers in England with higher than expected mortality rates
July 2013 – The trust is placed in special measures
April 2014 – CQC rates the hospital as ‘requires improvement’
June 2015 – CQC runs announced and unnounced
October 2015 – CQC rated the hospital on new standards as ‘inadequate’
The commission has now ordered the hospital trust to send it an urgent report on how it will make improvements.
Patients have reacted with mixed views, while politicians have demanded instant progress from managers.
The full inspection report is available here.
