Plastic surgery hospital rated inadequate by health watchdog inspectors

The Alexander Private Hospital in Chesterfield has been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission, after inspectors found it was using medicines and equipment that were out of date.  The watchdog also criticised cleanliness at the hospital.

 

The report, which related to an inspection carried out earlier this year, also said staff had failed to identify potential mental health conditions which mean surgery was not suitable for some patients.

 

This is the third inadequate rating the hospital has received in less than twelve months, following inspections in December and October 2022.

 

The inspectors wrote “Not all theatre areas were clean, and furnishings were not all clean and well-maintained.

 

“Equipment and stored items were dusty in some areas.  We found damaged equipment such as a patient couch mattress in an operating theatre which had tape over ripped areas.

 

“This had been highlighted during our previous inspection in October 2022 as a risk to effective infection prevention and control.

 

“We also found a blood pressure cuff which was ripped and visibly dirty.  Some sinks were visibly stained.”

 

Inspectors also found medicines were not being stored safely and some were out of date.  Concerns were also raised about poor record keeping, lack of staff training, particularly around safeguarding, and a lack of evidence of any discharge instructions given to patients.

 

The hospital has been contacted for comment.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

 

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382