THE long-awaited Keogh Report has highlighted severe failings at East Lancashire’s hospitals.

The hospitals trust was one of 11 in the UK put into ‘special measures’ because of high mortality rates.

Russ McLean, chairman of the patient support group, said: “It’s a shame people had to die to make them sit up and listen.”

TEAM SENT IN TO MONITOR DEPARTMENTS  

HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt said external teams would be sent in to monitor 11 trusts over the coming months, including East Lancashire.

He said they had been placed in special measures because of ‘fundamental breaches of care’ uncovered in the Keogh Review, and will have to show they have implemented all the recommendations made.

The external team will also help implement action plans for the trusts, so in effect, their boards will be overseen by senior NHS officials until improvements have been made.

Progress in East Lancashire will be monitored at a ‘summit meeting’ in September and an updated action plan drawn up for ongoing review.

Meanwhile, in relation to its ‘poor’ complaints process, trust bosses said they have asked for assistance to identify an ‘exemplar trust’ which it can learn from.

The report praised East Lancashire for the way in which it has responded positively to the five-month review process, saying some of the issues have already been addressed.

Rineke Schram, medical director, at the trust, said: “We need to listen more to our patients, public and staff. That is certainly a learning point.

“This report identifies how we can change and I am committed to working with my colleagues to deliver these changes.

“We are proud of our staff and pleased that the Keogh Review team praises them for their commitment to quality and patient safety.

“We now want to move forward and act on all the recommendations. We will support our staff and ensure that we deliver safe, high quality care to patients and the wider public.”