Barking MP Margaret Hodge says patients at Queen’s hospital A&E unit are failing to get the “quality of care they deserve”, following a damning report.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) have issued a formal warning to hospital chiefs after finding the A&E, in Romford, failed to meet two of the three national standards reviewed, including the care and welfare of people, and staffing.

Responding to the report, released today, Mrs Hodge said it was the latest in a long line of scathing CQC reports into the emergency department at Queens Hospital.

“Although patients are no longer waiting on trolleys and are being given food and drink, this report shows that patients are still not getting the level of care they deserve,” she added.

“Patients are waiting an appallingly long time, with some waiting over 16 hours. There have been too many ambulances diverted to other hospitals and there are still not enough doctors in the department.”

She said she understood the A&E department is under huge pressure but added that the Trust, working with the CQC, had to get a grip on these issues and “stop history repeating itself”.

“In light of yet another terrible report into Queens A&E it is madness that the government are still pressing ahead with plans to shut down [the A&E at] King George Hospital,” Mrs Hodge said.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, was praised for its record-keeping.

Inspectors from CQC, which monitors, inspects and regulates health services in England, have now ordered the trust to make urgent improvements by August 2.

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