1:29pm Thursday 18th October 2007
By Guardian-series
WHIPPS CROSS University Hospital has not maintained the standards of care achieved in previous years, according to an independent watchdog.
The Healthcare Commission rated clinical standards at the hospital as "fair" following an annual review, compared to a "good" standard achieved in 2006.
Whipps achieved all but three of the 54 standards assessed, but the Commission highlighted problems with waiting times for urgent cancer referrals and delayed operations.
The hospital also failed to "provide care in surroundings that were well designed and maintained and met national standards of cleanliness".
The trust said a £49m investment is required to replace old buildings before this issue can be fully addressed.
The mutli-million pound deficits at the hospital and at Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust (PCT) meant both were automatically rated as "weak" for use of resources.
PCT services were judged to be "fair" - the same rating as last year.
However, it was judged not to have met the standard of "treating staff, patients and visitors fairly regardless of race, gender and sexuality or disability".
The Commission also found GP practices could not offer and appointment to see a medical professional within 24 hours too often and the PCT was criticised for its handling of patient information.
Also, the number of women between the ages of 53 and 64 that had not received screening for breast cancer in the last three years was identified as too high.
Both trusts said the results were shaped by the introduction of additional targets and thresholds being raised on existing assessments.
PCT chief executive Sally Gorham said: "We are pleased that despite the bar being raised on the targets, we have achieved a fair rating.
"There have also been significant improvements in healthcare in Waltham Forest over the last year, which are not reflected in these ratings."
For full details see next week's Guardian.
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