INSPECTORS raised concerns about the high numbers of agency staff during two unannounced checks at Colchester General Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission visited seven inpatient and surgery wards on July 8 and July 14.

In a report, set to be discussed by the hospital’ssboard on Thursday, interim chief executive Dr Lucy Moore said inspectors identified a number of concerns.

She said: “These concerns were particularly in relation to the levels of agency staff on some of our wards and the levels of assurance we have in relation to their training and induction.

“In addition, they identified poor practice in relation to documentation and some areas where our most vulnerable patients were not receiving the appropriate standards of care.

“We have met with partners to discuss the position and I will be able to update further at the board meeting.”

A spokesman for the Care Quality Commission said full reports will be published in due course.

He said: “Meanwhile, we continue to monitor the situation at the trust closely and will carry out further inspections to check on the trust’s progress or in response to any further concerns.”

Dr Moore has met with Chief Inspector of Hospitals Sir Mike Richards to discuss the improvement at the hospital since the last inspection in May last year.

The informal discussion allowed them to set the context for the forthcoming full inspection, set to take place from September 15.

Residents are invited to give their views on the hospital at a public event at Colchester Town Hall on September 7, at 6pm.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was put into special measures in November 2013, following serious concerns highlighted during a Care Quality Commission inspection about the quality of some services for cancer patients.