PRESS RELEASE: Royal Sussex County Hospital A&E downgraded by regulators (28.7.2022)
“Healthwatch raised concerns with CQC after patients and hospital staff told us the A&E in Brighton and Hove was busy, crowded and sometimes felt unsafe. We are pleased that the recent CQC inspection found some improvements, but A&E, Maternity and Surgery are all now rated as 'Inadequate' or 'Requires Improvement'. This is a disappointing development for local people and staff, overworked and exhausted from their great efforts over the COVID period.”
"Healthwatch continues to offer support to University Sussex Hospitals Trust, some of our volunteers will be in the Royal Sussex Hospital today talking to patients. We call on the Trust to urgently address the concerns of the CQC and help local people regain confidence in those services that are inadequate and need improvement."
The April 22 inspection included the Royal Sussex A&E and Surgical Departments and the Maternity Departments at the four main sites for the University Hospitals Sussex Trust: The Royal Sussex, Worthing, St Richard's and the Princess Royal Hospitals.
Surgery at the Royal Sussex and Maternity at all four sites had been issued with warning notices by CQC in September 2021. In the April inspection the CQC found that enough had been done to meet the requirements of the warning notice for Maternity but not for Surgical services at the Royal Sussex.
For comment and interview please contact:
David Liley, Chief officer Healthwatch Brighton and Hove on 07931 755 343 and david@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
or
Geoffrey Bowden, Chair, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove on 07958 682 683 and chair@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
Broadcast media: our spokesperson will be available for pre-recorded interviews either down-the-line, for radio or for television via online platforms. Should broadcasters wish to have a representative in a studio Healthwatch will try to accommodate such requests and expects interviews to be conducted in accordance with Government COVID-19 guidelines.
