Hospitals’ ‘long-term poor culture’ called out by CQC

A major acute trust has been warned by the Care Quality Commission about a “long-term history of poor culture” in one of its departments.

Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust has received a warning notice from the Care Quality Commission over its children and young people’s services, following an inspection last November.

Chief executive Matthew Hopkins told the trust board in June that several concerns were raised by the CQC, including over “actions to improve the long-term history of poor culture and ineffective multidisciplinary team working”.

The CQC told HSJ its inspectors also identified concerns about culture, management and oversight of safety risks and a lack of learning from incidents. It said it carried out the inspection after concerns were identified through its ongoing monitoring.

A Section 29A warning notice means the CQC believes significant improvements in the quality of healthcare are required.

Nicki Abbott, the managing director for women and children, said an action plan was being developed in light of the warning notice. She said: “The issues relating to culture are known and were already being addressed”.

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Source: HSJ, 17 June 2025