“We are truly sorry for the understandable distress and concern this will cause our patients and their families.”
These were the words of Dr Andy Haynes, Executive Medical Director at King’s Mill Hospital.
His comments came as the hospital, near Sutton-in-Ashfield was rated as ‘inadequate’ in its latest inspection by watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
He added: “I think there’s a series of issues and there are some that we have taken steps to deal with already.
“In the long-term, this is about consistency and sustainability and that requires stability of leadership, something that this trust has not had a strong record for and we are now receiving external help to achieve that.
“We treat between 1,500 and 2,000 patients per day and many of those, as represented in the report, receive good care, and the CQC were very clear that patients should continue to come to those trusts that they have rated as inadequate and requiring improvement.
“I think we have made improvements but perhaps the pace of those is not as fast as required so we recognise that there is much more to do.”
This has to be treated as a priority
Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero MP said she was “extremely concerned” that, two years after being placed in special measures, the trust is still struggling to please inspectors.
“Given the Trust is now rated inadequate for safety, effectiveness and being well-led, this has to be treated as a priority in order to reassure patients,” she said.
“I know that the doctors, nurses and front-line staff work flat out in challenging and difficult circumstances.
“I regularly hear positive stories from constituents about their own or their loved ones’ experiences but that is not the case for everyone.”
Local people had mixed views on care received by themselves or a relatives or close friend at the hospital.
Video: Local people give their views on treatment at King’s Mill Hospital
Newark and Sherwood MP Mark Spencer said that he wants to see a “complete take-over” of the management of the hospital.
The trust must now submit a report to the CQC outlining how it will make improvements.
