NHSE aware of concerns over surgery nearly three years before suspension

NHS England was aware of concerns about upper gastrointestinal surgery at a hospital nearly three years before the Care Quality Commission intervened to stop it being carried out, HSJ can reveal.

NHSE in the South East commissioned a report into upper GI cancer services in parts of the region in January 2020. In particular, HSJ understands the review was prompted by concerns the small number of surgeries carried out at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton meant it may be unable to comply with parts of the service specification and face difficulties maintaining an adequate surgical workforce rota.

Despite these concerns, Brighton continued to carry out upper GI surgery until the CQC suspended planned oesophagic-gastric resections last August.

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Source: HSJ, 14 March 2023