"Record-keeping in need of improvement" at Broomfield Hospital

Broomfield Hospital has been warned about their record keeping.

After recent spending cuts to the NHS, the Care Quality Commission, CQC, issued a formal warning to the Mid Essex Hospitals Trust about the keeping of patient records, especially at the Chelmsford hospital.

As part of a routine check by the CQC on April 13^th, inspectors found that in nine of the patient records which were looked at, there were numerous gaps in food and fluid charts.

Some food charts had been discontinued with staff unsure why, posing a risk of a lack of information when making decisions over patient hydration and nutrition.

Patient discharge checklists also had issues of clarity whereby it was difficult to establish what plans had been made in supporting people after being discharged into the community.

Andrea Gordon, CQC’s Deputy Director of Operations in the region, said: “We will be returning to the trust to follow up on progress and, when we do, we will expect the trust to be able to demonstrate it has made improvements.”

“CQC has a range of legal powers it can use if it is found the required progress has not been made. Where necessary we will use these powers to protect the people who use this service.”

In response to the report, Chief Medical Officer at Broomfield Hospital, Dr Ronan Fenton, said: “The patients whose records were inspected by the Care Quality Commission did receive good quality care, but it was the record-keeping aspect that was in need of improvement."

With ‘extremely hard-working and dedicated staff’, Dr Fenton continued to say: “We are confident that we can demonstrate to the CQC that we are strong on these assurance disciplines as well as the many standards of care quality that have been commended by the CQC.”

Broomfield Hospital: the Chelmsford hospital has recently had a major renovation

UNISON has branded the warning from the CQC as ‘inevitable’ and a wake-up call about the impact of spending cuts. As the largest union in the CQC, they work to represent the staff at every level.

Eastern Region Regional Manner at UNISON, Margaret Lynch, said: “Government spending cuts are beginning to bite”.

“UNISON has drawn attention to the Government of the crippling impact of spending cuts – and this CQC warning should be a reminder to all politicians in charge of this government of the dangers of making cuts in hospitals.”

Fundraising triumph for the Amy Winehouse Foundation

A fundraising event at Stock Brook Manor helped to raise over £20,000 for the Amy Winehouse Foundation, with help from Grants SEAT.

Foundation logo

Organised by Amy’s father Mitch, the Golf Day on May 24^th was the first event to be organised by the foundation since Amy’s death at the age of 27 last July.

Mitch and daughter Amy Winehouse before her tragic death in 2011

The car dealership in Braintree sponsored a series of prizes for the golfers, including a SEAT Leon worth £15,000 as a prize for a hole-in-one.

Managing director Darren Williams and his wife Katie, communications manager, were invited to the following gala dinner and charity auction. The star-studded event included guests Ray Winstone, Katie Price and new charity patron, Barbara Windsor.

Speaking after the event, Katie Williams said: “It was an enormous privilege to play a part in helping to make the Amy Winehouse Foundation’s first fundraising event a huge success.”

“It was clear from the numbers of people who attended and the generosity they showed on the night that Amy’s legacy lives on.” 

Darren & Katie Williams from Grants SEAT dealership

Radio DJ's Buntathon Success

Listeners of a BBC Essex show have displayed huge generosity in creating over a mile of bunting flags.

Host Dave Monk was initially inspired to put together 100m of bunting for a special Olympic torch event in a borough of South Essex.

The ‘Bunathon’ campaign soon accelerated and just 3 days after asking listeners for help, Dave already had his 100m, so decided to stretch it to a mile.

The radio presenter has been overwhelmed and said: “It had brought out the best in people. There is a strong spirit of togetherness.”

With help from groups, individuals and even some residential homes, the collective effort has now producer over 3000 flags. The actual length is still to be measured.

On 25^th May, a group of listeners joined Dave and his radio team to sew the flags together, including Mary from Burnham, a former professional machinist who has produced hundreds of flags. Another lady wished to dedicate her contribution to her late mother who taught her to sew.

Dave said “It was so nice. It sums up the feeling behind it all.”

The future of the bunting is still a little hazy, but will spend its time travelling around the county for charity events. Dave said: “The Scouts are interested. I’d like it to raise as much as possible for charities.”

Dave Monk's radio show can be heard on BBC Essex, weekdays between 9am and 12pm.

Dave Monk