ROSIE COOPER MP COMMENTS ON SOUTHPORT & ORMSKIRK HOSPITALS TRUST CQC REPORT

Immediate release: Thursday 13 May

“I am pleased that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust (S&O) believe there have been improvements to the Trust’s services, but I am far from convinced.

"The unannounced inspection took place after I contacted the CQC to draw their attention to an incredibly serious incident that I had been made aware of by a whistleblower.

“This involved an elderly man being discharged by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) with only a blanket wrapped around his bottom half. This incident occurred because both S&O and NWAS failed to follow their own processes. They should be deeply ashamed of this, and I had hoped that the CQC would bring this to light and properly hold them accountable.

”Instead, both CQC and S&O seem to be brushing it under the carpet, burying this incident with only the slightest of references to it in the report. How can the Trust be held accountable if the regulator won’t even acknowledge serious failings like this!?

“I am also far from assured that 'Do Not Resuscitate' orders are properly consulted on with patients and families not just placed on a patient record without following the proper process.

"Family members have told me they knew nothing about the DNR that was placed on their loved ones’ record. Across the NHS as a whole, I believe the Police should be involved where the strict guidelines are breached. The public needs confidence in the medical staff treating them.

“Southport & Ormskirk may be improving but it needs to improve more quickly than it is.”

I find it unfair that Southport/Ormskirk hospitals carry the blame for mismanagement at a higher level. The hospital staff work extremely hard under difficult circumstances - for such comparatively small hospitals they have to deal with a huge number of patients using outdated or less than satisfactory equipment. Highly skilled staff are now being treated like naughty school children.

There is little opportunity for the hospital to expand - since all the available neighbouring land has been used for housing, which will add to the numbers of patients. A great pity that wiser planning was not incorporated before the damage was done.

The general public who have been paying into the NHS for a good number of years did not envisage their money being spent on excessive management and administrative staff numbers, nor on people from outside taking free advantage of that which the indigenous population has paid for. The whole NHS has been abused by those who used the system for profit. This is not how the NHS was meant to be.

Originally Posted by said

I find it unfair that Southport/Ormskirk hospitals carry the blame for mismanagement at a higher level. The hospital staff work extremely hard under difficult circumstances - for such comparatively small hospitals they have to deal with a huge number of patients using outdated or less than satisfactory equipment. Highly skilled staff are now being treated like naughty school children.

There is little opportunity for the hospital to expand - since all the available neighbouring land has been used for housing, which will add to the numbers of patients. A great pity that wiser planning was not incorporated before the damage was done.

The general public who have been paying into the NHS for a good number of years did not envisage their money being spent on excessive management and administrative staff numbers, nor on people from outside taking free advantage of that which the indigenous population has paid for. The whole NHS has been abused by those who used the system for profit. This is not how the NHS was meant to be.

Well said, got it spot on.

Originally Posted by said

The general public who have been paying into the NHS for a good number of years did not envisage their money being spent on excessive management and administrative staff numbers, nor on people from outside taking free advantage of that which the indigenous population has paid for. The whole NHS has been abused by those who used the system for profit. This is not how the NHS was meant to be.

Many daily mail readers say the same thing but can never actually supply proof of these allegations. Who are these excessive administrators or other staff numbers they speak of and does not the tax and NI paid by those who move to this country cover the costs of their use of the NHS?