Report Reveals Hospitals 'Catalogue Of Serious Feelings'

A specialist unit in a Birmingham hospital has been criticised by the Healthcare Commission (HC), in a damning report which revealed a catalogue of serious failings.

Seriously ill boys and girls received substandard care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH), where a lack of beds, equipment and properly trained staff put patients at risk, according to the NHS watchdog for England said today.

The investigation also found some complex neurosurgery had been carried out without the relevant trained nurses, while some underwent unnecessary major operations, as the hospital did not have the equipment needed to treat them.

The BCH NHS Foundation Trust was also criticised for its shortage of beds, equipment and access to operating theatres, and an "ineffective" partnership with the University Hospital Birmingham (UBH).

Incidents like it prompted the HC to be "deeply concerned" about the "less than optimal care" at the hospital.

"While we have no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients, the standard of care has not been as good as it should have been in some cases," said Anna Walker, the commission's chief executive.

"It is deeply concerning that serious issues were raised but not properly or rapidly addressed over several months. While I would not say there were 'third-world' conditions, there were serious potential risks in the way care was provided."

The BCH said it welcomed the report, but also paid tribute to its staff, who it said had been "victims of our own success".

"We listened very carefully to those who gave us suggestions for improvements and now welcome the Healthcare Commission's report, which reinforces our improvement agenda, whilst also confirming that there is no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients," said Sarah-Jane Marsh, the hospital's interim chief executive.

"Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly. I sincerely regret any distress caused to children, young people and their families during this time."

Health Secretary Alan Johnson ordered the report after the concerns of consultants were publicised in the Observer newspaper in November.

It is the second report published this week from the HC to criticise hospital services.

Earlier this week it said it found "appalling" standards of emergency care at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

(JM/BMcC)