Enforcement action taken against Shropshire NHS

Enforcement action has been taken against the trust running Shropshire's two main hospitals.

The Care Quality Commission has taken urgent action against Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS trust to ensure a standard of care and treatment.

It follows a recent inspection of the trust raised safety concerns at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Inspectors had initially raised concerns about A&E and boarding but an action plan was in place to resolve matters.

However, it has now been revealed that the CQC has enforced action in two areas; the systems it has in place around patients and the environmental safety of Telford's A&E.

Inspectors were told that patients were being treated like 'animals and cattle in unsafe, demeaning, undignified and disgusting conditions'.

Heidi Smoult, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of hospitals, said: “An inspection of services provided by SaTH took place over six days at the end of August.

"That inspection identified concerns regarding patient safety.

“We have now taken urgent enforcement action against the trust to ensure that people always get the care and treatment they have every right to expect.

"We will provide further information when the legal process allows.”

Health bosses are considering a temporary overnight closure of either Telford or Shrewsbury A&E due to warnings of the situation being at breaking point.