NHS watchdog apologises for maternity inspection failures The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has apologised for failing to properly inspect the University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, where police are investigating the deaths of up to 16 babies. The apology follows the publication of a report that criticises “poor governance”, “operational weaknesses” and “questionable decision making” by the regulator in relation to how it inspected the hospital. The report, carried out by consultants Grant Thornton at the CQC’s request, also suggests there was a deliberate attempt by the watchdog to cover up an internal report that concluded its decisions about the hospital were flawed. The CQC admits it should not have registered the hospital without imposing conditions. It also admits that the way it handled the suppressed internal report was “evidence of a failure of leadership within the CQC and a dysfunctional relationship between the executive and the board”. In a statement the CQC said: “This is not the way things should have happened. It is not the way things will happen in the future. "We will use the report to inform the changes we are making to improve the way we work and the way we are run.” It added: “We let people down, and we apologise for that.” The CQC says it is seeking to change the culture of its organisation to be more open and transparent. David Prior, chair of the CQC, added: "What happened in the past was wholly unacceptable. "The report confirms our view that at a senior level the organisation was dysfunctional. "The board and the senior executive team have been radically changed.” cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1077521/nhs-watchdog-apologises-maternity-inspection-failures
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:02:46 +0000
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