Hospital at centre of a maternity scandal is the first to face action over high coronavirus rates on its wards
- East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust is the first to face action over high Covid rates
- Care Quality Commission issued a legal order after an inspection on August 12
- It will now be subject to weekly reporting over its measures to control infection
A hospital trust at the centre of a maternity scandal has become the first to face action over high coronavirus rates.
The Care Quality Commission has issued a legal order against East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust that means it will now be subject to weekly reporting over the measures it uses to control infection. It will also face closer monitoring.
The move comes after an inspection on August 12.
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust has become the first to face action over high coronavirus rates. Pictured, William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, which is part of the East Kent trust
NHS England figures show that the number of people testing positive for coronavirus 15 days after a hospital visit was twice as high at East Kent as at other acute trusts, the BBC reported.
The findings covered the period June 30 to July 26. Positive tests eight days after admission were almost three times higher.
Prof Ted Baker, the CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: ‘As a result of serious concerns we have taken immediate enforcement action at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.
CQC inspectors visited the trust after concerns were raised about the standards of care and the risk to patients.
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust will be subject to weekly reporting on its measures to control infection after an inspection on August 12
‘As the trust has the right to appeal the action that we have taken, it would be inappropriate for CQC to comment further. However, we will publish our findings and action taken when the legal process allows.’
A hospital trust spokesman said it was ‘strengthening’ its procedures and training.
Separately, East Kent Hospitals is under investigation after it was accused by families of covering up the deaths of newborns by only referring a handful of cases to coroners – even though many were sudden and unexplained.
As the Daily Mail revealed on Monday, only 24 out of 124 deaths since 2013 had been reported to coroners.
Coroners have expressed alarm at managers’ suspicious practices.