UNISON has said that a Care Quality Commission warning to Mid Essex Hospitals Trust about record keeping at Broomfield Hospital is a wake-up call about the impact of spending cuts.
And the union said that the commission’s warning was inevitable, particularly as Broomfield Hospital has been involved in years of action to ‘turn round’ its finances, leading to staffing cuts and redundancies.
Eastern region regional manager Margaret Lynch said: “The commission warning to Mid Essex Hospitals Trust about record keeping in the wards is a warning to the whole of the NHS.
“Government spending cuts are beginning to bite and casualties of short staffing will be found in less time [being spent] on essential and basic duties such as keeping accurate and timely records.
“UNISON has drawn attention to the government of the crippling impact of spending cuts – and this commission warning should be a reminder to this government of the dangers of making cuts in hospitals.”