March 27 2015.


 Norman Baker has renewed his call for the resignation the chief executive and chairman of East Sussex Healthcare Trust following today’s damning report by the Care Quality Commission, which rates the Trust as Inadequate. The Care Quality Commission has particularly identified that inspectors still have concerns about the leadership and culture of the trust.

The current management of East Sussex Healthcare Trust is also responsible for the disastrous downgrading of services at Eastbourne DGH, a move that has already had a negative impact for many constituents in Seaford and Polegate.

The Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: “When we inspected East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in September, we were extremely concerned at the disconnect we identified between the senior team and the staff working on the frontline. We saw no sign of a clear vision and strategy and a lack of response to concerns raised by staff. We had specific serious concerns about maternity, surgery and outpatients.

“While the trust may in time resolve some of the service issues, the trust must make it a priority to focus on the cultural issues that some staff told us about.

“Our recent inspection indicates there have been improvements in important areas for patients, but I am still concerned about cultural and leadership issues at the trust. I will not be making a judgment about special measures until we have fully assessed the results of our most recent inspection.

“We, alongside our partners will continue to keep a close eye on the trust and will inspect again in due course to assess whether or not adequate progress is being made.”

Norman says: “This report shows what I sadly already knew: the upper management of East Sussex Healthcare is letting down my constituents across the board, both in terms of the range of services offered at Eastbourne and now the safety of what’s left. There needs to be changes at the top to reverse this dangerous trend and that means the replacement of the Chief Executive and Chairman.

“I am very concerned that my constituents are being given a second rate services when it comes to healthcare.”