TALENTED clinical staff could opt not to joining Colchester General Hospital because of a damning report, it has been warned.

The Turner Road hospital is already 150 nurses short of what the total number should be, but bosses now fear the negative impact of the latest report will have a further impact on recruitment.

Shane Gordon, chief commissioning officer at the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said the latest Care Quality Commission report - which labelled the Turner Road hospital inadequate - might lead to doctors nurses and other clinicians not to come to this trust.

He added: “That feels unfair.”

Out of 40 ratings, Colchester General Hospital is rated ‘good’ in about half and inadequate in just six.

Barbara Stuttle, director of nursing at Colchester General Hospital, added: “Our nurses are quite devastated about the report, which is quite concerning.”

She added there have already been instances of people agreeing to an interview and not turning up.

Mrs Stuttle added: “The ingredients are there, but we just need a few more nurses.

“Investment is not a problem.

“I am committed to sorting this, but there is quite a journey [to go].”

A statement from the hospital’s Council of Governors said: “[Serious allegations in 2013] have adversely affected the trust’s reputation and made it more difficult to recruit and retain vital staff.

“We sincerely hope therefore that this latest CQC report does not have a similar effect on our proactive efforts to recruit and retain staff.”