Alarming CQC Warning for Isle of Wight’s St Mary’s Emergency Department
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has slammed the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s emergency department at St Mary’s Hospital in Newport, demanding urgent improvements. A focused inspection in January 2019 uncovered serious safety risks and poor patient care during the busy winter months.
Patients Left in Corridors and Unsafe Care
The CQC’s Warning Notice revealed shock findings: patients were routinely treated in non-designated areas, including corridors. This put them at risk of missing timely assessments and proper treatment. Some patients were not assessed quickly or by suitably qualified staff.
Inspectors found the department overcrowded throughout the inspection, with one patient stuck in the corridor for three hours after a 15-hour wait. “This is unacceptable,” said Dr Nigel Acheson, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector for the South. “Winter hustle doesn’t excuse poor patient care.”
Staff Shortages Leave Nurses Stretched to Breaking Point
The emergency department was severely understaffed. Despite a review of nursing levels in September 2018 and recent recruitment efforts, only six nurses were on duty when eight were needed. This left the nurse in charge scrambling to assess new ambulance arrivals, care for corridor patients, assist in the resuscitation room, cover breaks, and co-ordinate care across the department.
As a result, key aspects of patient care were missed. At times, no nurses were present in major, minor, or rapid assessment areas. Heavy reliance on agency nurses added to concerns, as these staff may lack specialist emergency experience despite being fully qualified.
Emergency Care Falling Short of National Standards
Handover from ambulance crews happened within 15 minutes but often didn’t include a face-to-face assessment by an experienced nurse, instead falling to healthcare assistants. Safety checklists were incomplete in four out of six patient records reviewed.
The CQC has put the Isle of Wight NHS Trust on high alert and promised unannounced inspections to ensure “people receive the high-quality care they deserve.” The trust, currently rated Inadequate and in special measures, faces an uphill battle to repair its emergency services and patient trust.
