Earlier this week, the Government published the findings of Sir Bruce Keogh’s investigations into 14 hospitals which have experienced higher than expected mortality rates, including Medway Maritime Hospital. The Prime Minster asked Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS Medical Director, to conduct these investigations following the Francis Report into Mid-Staffs.

The investigation highlighted significant concerns regarding Medway Maritime Hospital, which as a result has been placed in “special measures” by the Government. The Medway Maritime will be required to implement the recommendations of Sir Bruce Keogh’s review and their progress will be monitored and made public.

In the House of Commons earlier this week, Tracey raised the specific issue regarding a timescale for improvements at Medway Maritime directly with the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP:

Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford): “………may I say I am very disappointed to hear from the Secretary of State that the hospital has gone into special measures? I have been assured that Sir Bruce Keogh’s recommendations are already being implemented, but will the Secretary of State say in what time frame he, and more importantly my constituents, should expect to see significant improvements at the Maritime?”

Mr Hunt: “We want these things to happen as quickly as possible, but all the hospitals Sir Bruce reviewed will be looked at again within the next year by the chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, who starts work today, so we will be able to measure whether progress has been as swift as my hon. Friend and I would like.”

For more information regarding Sir Bruce Keogh’s report, please visit:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/bruce-keogh-review/Pages/published-reports.aspx

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/oral-statement-sir-bruce-keogh-review