September 26th 2023.
Thousands of letters to patients were reportedly lost in a new computer system at Newcastle Hospitals, causing concern over patient safety. According to the BBC, the letters, dating back to 2018, are mostly about what should happen when patients are discharged from the hospital, while some are from specialist clinics outlining necessary care.
In response to the situation, staff have been instructed to document any resulting incidents of patient harm and ensure these are addressed. The trust is now urgently reviewing 24,000 documents from its electronic records to discover any issues.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an inspection in the summer, after which staff at the trust voiced concerns about delays in sending out correspondence. In response, Sarah Dronsfield, interim director of operations in the North for the CQC, said they had taken "immediate action" to ensure patient safety.
Martin Wilson, chief operating officer of Newcastle Hospitals, apologized for any anxiety or inconvenience this may have caused, and reassured patients that the trust is taking immediate steps to address the issue. He also noted that the 24,000 documents being reviewed accounts for less than 0.3% of all contact with patients.
The CQC said it was monitoring the trust closely and could inspect it at any time if it had concerns. It also said it would report on the full findings of its latest inspection and any areas requiring improvement as soon as it was able to. The CQC encouraged anyone with any concerns about the care they have received to let them know directly.
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