27 January 2006
An NHS trust accused of 'serious lapses' in its care of older people has promised to do 'whatever it takes' to bring its standards up to acceptable levels.
In a report published this week, the Healthcare Commission said care at the Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Trust was poor and patient safety was being compromised because of inadequate leadership and management, staff shortages and a failure to learn from complaints.
The regulator's investigation was prompted by the conviction in 2004 of ward sister Barbara Salisbury on two counts of attempted murder.
The commission discovered that staff often did not help patients to eat, drink or take medication, while drug rounds were often late.
It called on the trust to recruit more nurses, review and strengthen its management and develop protocols to deal with serious complaints.
Marcia Fry, the commission's head of operational development, said: 'There is no excuse that allows for the care and dignity of patients to be compromised in this way.'
The trust said it was addressing the commission's recommendations and had recruited 44 new nursing staff.
Trust chair Alan White said: 'We are absolutely committed to taking whatever action is necessary to implement the recommendations in full.'
PFjan2006
