UPDATED SUNDAY, 11am

COLCHESTER MP Sir Bob Russell is seeking an urgent meeting with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt over the latest troubles at Colchester General Hospital.

Sir Bob said he had met hospital bosses just two weeks ago and no concerns were raised about the hospital's capacity.

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He said: "I had a meeting with the Hospital’s Interim Chief Executive two weeks ago, and left with the distinct impression that the corner had been turned.

“What I am now hearing suggests that the corner has not even been reached.

“I am urgently raising my concerns with the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt.”

 

UPDATED SATURDAY, 2pm

HEALTH watchdog inspectors raised a number of safeguarding issues after their visit to Colchester General Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission made an unannounced visit to the A&E and emergency assessment unit at the Turner Road hospital on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, hospital chiefs announced a "major incident" because the hospital had become too busy.

Dr Lucy Moore, chief executive of Colchester Hospital University NHS foundation trust, said: “The CQC raised a small number of safeguarding concerns when its team gave immediate feedback at the end of the inspection on Wednesday.

"The trust takes safeguarding extremely seriously and is now investigating to find out whether our policies had been followed appropriately." 

The "major incident" is not expected to be declared over until next week.

 

UPDATED FRIDAY, 3pm

THE major incident declared at Colchester General Hospital will last for more than a week. 

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust bosses declared the incident yesterday morning after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission raised concerns over the lack of open beds in both A&E and the emergency assessment unit. 

A trust spokesman said: "The trust continues to function fully and effectively, and the people of north east Essex can be assured that we are here for them and they can help by using our Emergency Department [A&E] only if they have a serious or life-threatening condition.

"We are still experiencing high levels of pressure and are currently caring for high acuity patients.

"Unfortunately, we had to postpone 11 non-emergency operations today, compared with seven yesterday.

"We apologise to those patients who have been affected and will give them a new date within 28 days for their surgery.

"We anticipate that the internal major incident will not be called off for another week or so."

 

UPDATED FRIDAY, 10.30AM

HEALTH bosses have urged patients not to go to A&E at Colchester General Hospital unless they have a serious condition. 

The service has experienced unprecedented demand this week, which is putting signifiicant pressure on the Turner Road hospital. 

It comes as the hospital yesterday declared an "internal major incident", following an unannounced visit by health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, on Wednesday. 

Dr Shane Gordon, chief clinical officer at the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (NEECCG), said: “A&E should only be used for critical or life-threatening situations requiring medical attention, such as loss of consciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, overdoses, ingestion or poisoning.

“It is vital that emergency services are free to help people with the greatest need. 

"Patients with minor injuries which do not require a visit to A&E - such as cuts, wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns - can also be treated at walk-in medical centres or minor injury units across north east Essex.

“This will significantly help to relieve pressure on the hospital’s A&E teams and reduce waiting times for all patients.”

The NEECCG has also outlined alternatives to A&E, including treating oneself for minor injuries or contacting a pharmacist.

The public can also call 111, 24 hours a day, where specialist nurses can provide clinical advice. 

 

Colchester General Hospital declares "internal major incident" as bosses admit it has become too busy

BOSSES at Colchester General Hospital bosses have declared an "internal major incident" after admitting it has become too busy.

It comes after health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns about the lack of open beds in the hospital’s emergency assessment unit during an unannounced inspection on Wednesday.

Hospital bosses then carried out their own assessment yesterday morning, which confirmed inspectors’ fears.

It means some staff are being asked to cover extra shifts in order to clear a backlog of patients while some elective operations were also cancelled.

It is a significant move, which is normally reserved for incidents which will lead to mass casualties coming to a hospital, and will last at least until the weekend.

It will also trigger a whole hospital review, which will fully investigate demand, capacity and staffing levels.

Staff were told by email this morning by chief executive Dr Lucy Moore, who said: “At 10.15am today the Trust declared an internal major incident because of the extreme pressures we are experiencing and the lack of capacity.

"A high number of escalation beds are in use and we are, unfortunately, having to postpone some elective operations.” 

A CQC spokeswoman said: "The CQC has carried out an unannounced inspection at Colchester Hospital this week.

"The inspection has been looking at the Accident and Emergency department and the Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU).

"A full report of CQC's findings will be published on our website in due course.

"Meanwhile we continue to monitor the trust."

 

See Friday's Gazette for the full story