A failing hospital trust will not undergo any major changes until it meets national standards, NHS England has stated.

Last month the CQC released a damning report after finding that patients were being put at risk at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust.

And last week it was decided that the Trust should be placed into special measures.

The health and social care watchdog inspectors found that bosses at the trust have failed to deal with a number of long-standing issues and exposed unsafe care in A&E departments at both King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queens Hospital in Romford.

A spokesperson for NHS England in London has told the Guardian that the trust will answer concerns over population growth before any changes are made.

He said: “We agree with placing the Trust under special measures.  Whilst we are pleased that the CQC found signs of sustained improvement, this has not yet been achieved in all areas.

“Changes to A&E services will only take place when Care Commissioning Groups in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge are confident that it is safe to do so.  This means that there must be sufficient capacity at Queen’s Hospital to care for more patients. 

“Under the plans agreed by the Secretary of State, A&E services and the urgent care centre will be expanded. This would see a 24/7 service for patients with minor injuries.

"Bringing A&E staff together in one larger centre will also make it easier to be seen by a senior consultant more quickly.  Clinical evidence shows that this can dramatically improve the quality of emergency care for patients.”