MP Says CQC Findings At St Mary's Are 'Sadly Unsurprising' After Hospital Inspection

Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson says he is "sadly unsurprised" by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report highlighting concerns over urgent and emergency care at St Mary's Hospital.

The comments come after the CQC again rated the hospital's urgent and emergency services as Requires Improvement, while medical care, including older people's services, was rated Good following an inspection in February.

Mr Robertson said he had witnessed the pressures facing the Emergency Department during a visit earlier this year.

He said:

"I am sadly unsurprised by the CQC's findings in relation to emergency care at St Mary's Hospital.

"When I visited earlier in the year, I saw for myself people being treated on rows of trolleys and in unsuitable places like a converted cupboard.

"There were also ambulances parked outside with patients still in them because there was no space in the building.

"The staff were doing their absolute best in impossible circumstances."

The Conservative MP said one of the biggest factors behind the ongoing pressures was the lack of available social care, preventing patients from being discharged.

He added:

"Around 25 per cent of beds on the wards are occupied by people who do not have a medical reason for being there.

"Until the Government grasps this issue by better supporting our Council the crisis will not be solved.

"The Island is not a city. The funding rules that apply elsewhere do not work for us and the unique challenges we face."

The CQC found patients in the Emergency Department were facing long waits in unsuitable environments, with inspectors raising concerns about staff visibility of the waiting room and delays in patients being admitted to wards.

The regulator issued the Isle of Wight NHS Trust with a warning notice over the clinical management of the Emergency Department waiting room and said improvements were needed to ensure people receive safe care.

However, inspectors also praised staff for working well together and treating patients with kindness, dignity and respect, while highlighting a positive learning culture within medical services.

Despite the concerns identified in urgent and emergency care, St Mary's Hospital overall remains rated Good.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has already submitted an action plan to the CQC outlining the steps it is taking to address the issues raised.