Patients harmed due to bed shortages in intensive care unit

Following inspections of both James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, South Tee’s Hospitals Trust’s intensive care has been given the worst possible rating of inadequate.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has raised concerns in relation to staff shortages and infection control at the hospitals.  They discovered that on three separate occasions patients were harmed due to the appropriate beds not being available.

The CQC also concluded that staff shortages were not being correctly reported and as a result there were not enough nurses to care for patients to an acceptable standard. The investigation also raised concerns that patients with infections were not always being isolated.

The Friarage’s critical care services has previously been criticised by watchdog investigators and the A&E department was subsequently suspended in March due to concerns over safety of patients and staff shortages.

A Specialist Medical Negligence Lawyer said: “It is a disappointing set of circumstance when there are large concerns over critical care units. These patients require round the clock, constant monitoring so for this element of care to be compromised is very worrying. Hopefully South Tee’s Trust will come up with a comprehensive plan which will efficiently address the issues at hand without suspension of any of their services which will cause wider problems.”