CQC inspectors upgrade Whipps Cross from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ but still have concerns over surgery

Inspectors have noted a slight improvement in services at Whipps Cross Hospital, but still have major concerns about the hospital’s surgery facilities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) this week upgraded the university hospital from “inadequate” to “requires improvement” following an inspection in May.

The hospitalserves Wanstead and Woodford and is run by Barts Health NHS Trust, which was placed in special measures last year.

While many improvements had been made across the hospital, a number of concerning discoveries saw the hospital’s surgery once again rated “inadequate”.

Inspectors found worrying “infection control issues” in the hospital’s operating theatres, including loose and exposed plaster on theatre walls and damaged flooring.

Not all operating areas had records of daily cleaning checks and some items of equipment labelled as clean had visible dust and/or damage.

Barts Health chief executive Alwen Williams was delighted by news of the trust’s improvements, but admitted there were still changes to be made.

She said: “There is still much to do, and we will focus on getting better, quicker - but today marks a significant milestone in our journey of improvement.”