Investigation launched into NHS children's hospital
- Published: 10 November 2008 14:41
- Author: Richard Staines
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- Last Updated: 10 November 2008 14:41
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The Healthcare Commission has announced that it will investigate concerns about services at Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
An article in the Observer revealed a report by a group of consultants raised concerns about the quality of services at the children's hospital.
The consultants were based at the children's hospital and nearby University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Issues raised included disorganised theatre arrangements at the BCH's renal transplant services and staff not recognising surgical instruments when being asked for them.
There was also a 'prevailing theme of failure to use the incident reporting system attributed to a belief that "there is no point"'.
The commission will now investigate following a request from health secretary Alan Johnson and will publish an independent report detailing its findings.
Meanwhile the hospital has issued a strongly-worded statement countering the article. It said: 'An article appeared in The Observer on 9 Nov about Birmingham Children's Hospital.
'This was very misleading and based on the views of a small minority of consultants, most of whom are not employed by this hospital. The report referred to in the article has not been authenticated or seen by any member of staff at the hospital. We refute it.'
