WORCESTER'S MP Robin Walker has spoken of his sadness after Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was placed in special measures and has called for a new executive team at the helm.

We reported in today's Worcester News about the damning findings of the report by the independent regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC rated services including those at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester as 'inadequate' after 'serious problems' were discovered in July.

Inspectors graded the trust inadequate for safety and leadership and requires improvement for effectiveness and responsiveness. This resulted in the overall classification of inadequate.

Mr Walker has met with the chairman of the trust both immediately after the visit and in light of the report published today to receive an update on progress with meeting the concerns it has raised.

He also recently met with the leadership of the South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group to discuss their views of the local hospital.

Yesterday he met with the Minister for Hospitals, Ben Gummer, to press for additional support and was assured that the Government would be appointing an improvement director to work with the trust.

He has praised staff for their dedication to continuing to provide high quality care, pressed for the much needed upgrade to the local hospital to be delivered as soon as possible and called for a resolute focus on patient safety.

Mr Walker told the Worcester News he had consistently argued that the Worcestershire Royal Hospital was built too small and as a result has faced capacity problems over a number of years.

He announced before the 2015 election his intention to campaign for a substantial upgrade to the emergency department at the hospital and has already secured funding for a small interim expansion which will make a first step.

He said: "The findings of the CQC’s report from their inspection in July reflect the pressure on capacity at the hospital and in particular many of the areas in which the trust was rated inadequate relate to these capacity challenges."

Mr Walker said other issues related to management and leadership due to the number of interim managers in place.

He has backed calls for a new executive team to be put in place as soon as possible.

Other points raised in the report related to the safety of the maternity unit at the Alexandra Hospital, which has since been acted upon.

Mr Walker said he had sought and been given assurances that the highest priority is given to the safety of mothers and new born babies across Worcestershire.

Despite the overall rating of inadequate, inspectors identified a number of areas of outstanding practice across the trust, Mr Walker said.

They included an outstanding patient observation chart used within the critical care unit. This chart was regularly reviewed and updated.

In the maternity and gynaecology services, inspectors were told by women using the service that staff were consistently compassionate and caring.

Inspectors observed exceptional care in the early morning while visiting Avon 4 Ward at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The critical care team provided an outstanding example of compassion to a patient with a learning disability.

Mr Walker has pointed out that as local MP he often hears from constituents with examples of exceptional care from the hospital and its staff, has frequently visited and always been impressed by the dedication of the staff at the hospital.

The CQC report rated care good across the whole of the trust and in every department of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital except for maternity services which were rated outstanding.

Patient safety is one of the main areas in which the Trust was measured below standard.

Mr Walker said: “Our hospital provides some incredible care and in dealing with this tough report we should not in any way undermine the achievement of the passionate staff, clinicians and nurses who work so hard to provide that care.

"I have recognised for a long time however that there are real challenges with the capacity at the hospital, the departure of key executives from the trust and the lack of a comprehensive agreement on reconfiguration.

"Local MPs called for the latter to be resolved years ago and it is tragic that it has not been done sooner.

“The key challenge now is to resolve the safety concerns raised by this report. This will mean meeting the capacity challenge and putting strong long-term management in place.

"It will mean working with other trusts and the TDA to bring about positive changes. I welcome the immediate and positive engagement by Healthwatch Worcestershire and welcome their ambition to help find a solution.

"I do also recognise that the interim management have put a huge amount of effort into turning things around and local commissioners have told me that A&E performance is already improving. However this report makes clear that further changes are needed.”

“As a local MP I want to see this problem resolved as soon as possible and I will do everything I can to lobby Ministers to support our hospital, its amazing staff and the case for a significant upgrade to it. No stone should be left unturned in providing safe care to my constituents in Worcester and patients across Worcestershire.”