23 February 2011
Following a visit by inspectors to Derriford Hospital, run by Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that important check-lists recommended by the World Health Organisation and the National Patient Safety Agency were not being used effectively by surgical teams across some operating theatres.
It is critical that these key checks are completed without exception as failure to do so may result in increased risk to patient safety.
The CQC required that the trust address this issue immediately, and it has put in place steps to do so. We have also told the trust that if it does not demonstrate full and consistent compliance with safety check lists from this point forward, our next steps may include prosecution or closure of services.
Ends
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Notes to editors
About the CQC: Snippet for press releases
About the Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.
We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.
Read the report
Read the reports from our checks on standards at Derriford Hospital.