A MAJOR shake-up of children's services at Basildon Hospital is to be carried out after a ten-year-old's death.
An unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised a number of concerns from a lack of senior medical staff to out-of-date medication in the paediatrics department. Two warnings have been issued as a result.
The visit came a month after two serious incidents at the hospital, one of which led to the death of a little girl.
Details surrounding the death – and a further incident involving a baby being given an incorrect dose of medication – are being kept private until an independent review of the services is completed.
The CQC issued two separate warnings to the hospital back in the summer, saying it must make improvements to standards of care.
The new chief executive of Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Clare Panniker, started her post two months ago and admits this is a disappointing start.
She said: "This latest inspection has identified issues we need to work really hard to resolve.
"This was not what I was hoping for. I wanted to build on the success of the last couple of months and move forward.
"The paediatrics department is doing a good job. I don't want people to think they can't bring their children here. This is a good hospital. I came here as I think it can be a great place for patients and a great place to work."
The CQC visited on November 3 and spoke with staff and parents. Although the care children were receiving was praised, limited resources during evenings and weekends was highlighted. The inspection also found out-of-date medication.
Ms Panniker has commissioned an independent investigation into paediatric services and said lots of improvements have already been made, including a senior consultant now working evenings and weekends, and a registrar on duty all day Saturday and Sunday.
A paediatric nurse is also being employed from Monday to act as a "fresh pair of eyes", according to Ms Panniker.
The hospital must comply with the CQC's notices by January 13.
