AFTER a damning report examining its historically high death rates, Basildon Hospital has been placed under special measures and a programme of improvement has begun.
The hospital was one of 11 of the 14 investigated under the five-month Keogh Review – named after NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh – to be put under this condition.
It followed the unusually high mortality figures at the hospital where there were 3,186 deaths between April 2010 and April 2012.
Between October 2010 and October 2012, that amounted to 544 more deaths than expected.
The results of the Keogh Review were released on July 16.
The accompanying report said the trust had been too focused on financial targets and now needed to focus on safety and improving its bed management, patient flows, infection control, and to review staffing levels for nursing and medical staff.
The document stated that the trust had undergone significant leadership changes and that a transformation programme is under way. However, it added that there was more for the trust to do in ensuring good practices were in evidence across the organisation, all of the time.
Earlier this month the Gazette reported on the case of Terry Day, of Meadowland Road, Wickford, who died aged just 35, days before his wedding, on August 14, 2011, in Basildon Hospital.
An inquest on June 25 and 26 heard that Mr Day had been diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour in July 2010, which was not taken into consideration when he was taken to A&E at Basildon Hospital after falling ill.
No neurological assessments were made and, although Mr Day was snoring loudly, his airways were not checked. He went into cardiac arrest when his tumour haemorrhaged, causing irreversible damage to his brain.
Clare Panniker, chief executive at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We welcome the feedback from the Keogh report.
"While it recognises a significant transformation programme is already under way here, we take very seriously the areas identified as needing urgent and further action, and are addressing them as a priority.
"We welcome the support we will receive from an external team and the partnership with another NHS organisation."
Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron said: "The report highlights historic failings at Basildon Hospital, and lessons need to be learnt for the benefit of future patients.
"This episode raises a host of questions, including why the regulatory system failed and what other patient care could have been provided if millions of pounds had not been paid out in clinical negligence cases.
"However, the hospital has recently overhauled its management. Under the leadership of Clare Panniker and Ian Luder the trust is addressing these legacy issues and they have my full support.
"We should also remember that many good things are taking place at the hospital. The report should not overshadow this."
