UNISON today welcomed the decision by health regulator Monitor to take Colchester Hospital into special measures.
UNISON Regional Head of Health, Tracey Lambert, said:
“The decision to take Colchester Hospital into special measures is the right one. The Trust board has lost the confidence of patients and the public in North East Essex and people want to see strong, positive action to improve health care at the hospital.
“UNISON members alerted Executive directors at the hospital that they were being bullied into falsifying data relating to the treatment of cancer patients, but their concerns were not dealt with. We know that our members in other departments also believed they would not be listened to if they spoke out about their fears. UNISON repeatedly made this point to the Trust .
“In light of what has happened at Colchester, there is a need for a significant change of leadership and we look forward to working with the new regime.”
ends
Tracey Lambert Head of Health UNISON Eastern Region 07908675421
Tim Roberts Regional Organiser Colchester Hospital 07432150523
