A police review is underway after a hospital lied to the authorities over waiting times for cancer care.
Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust gave false accounts to make it look as though targets had not been missed. Under current guidance, cancer patients must wait no longer than 62 days to receive treatment.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has heard that staff were “pressured, bullied and harassed” to change the data. The regulator said this had put patients “at serious risk of harm” as early treatment is vital to increasing a patient’s chance of survival.
An investigation is currently underway to determine how many people were affected by delays in treatment. Of the 61 patient records looked at, 22 have inconsistencies between the actual time a patient received treatment and the time reported by the hospital.
Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: “If you are diagnosed with cancer you are entitled to think that your hospital will do all they can to ensure you get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
“It is shocking to think that people’s lives may have been put at risk for the sake of the waiting time figures. Clearly, this report raises questions over the safety and effectiveness of these services. But it also raises questions at the highest level.”
The discrepancies were discovered after a whistle-blower reported their concerns to Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of NHS England. Essex Police are reviewing the CQC’s report before deciding if a criminal investigation is required.
Negligent Cancer Care
If you or your loved one has suffered because of negligent cancer care, you could be entitled to take legal action against the medical professional or hospital to blame. To find out more, get in touch with us and speak to a clinical negligence solicitor.
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