‘Significant risks to patient safety and trust’s reputation’ uncovered by external review

A trust’s gastroenterology service was ‘in a very poor state with significant risks to patient safety’ and had poor teamworking which “blighted” the service, an external review found.

The problems in the service at Salisbury Foundation Trust, Wiltshire, were so severe that the Royal College of Physicians suggested it should consider transferring key services such as management of GI bleeds and the care of hepatology patients to other hospitals.

The service was struggling with poor staffing which had led to increased reliance on a partnership with University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, outsourcing and the daily use of locum consultants, according to the report. The trust board had identified “inability to provide a full gastroenterology service due to lack of medical staff capacity” as an extreme risk.

The report said: “This review was complex and necessary as the gastroenterology service is in a very poor state with significant risks to patient safety and the reputation of the trust. We found a wide range of problems which now need timely action to ensure patients are safe.”

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Source: HSJ, 7 June 2021