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Inquiry launched into Liverpool Community Health failures Inquiry launched into Liverpool Community Health failures
(32 minutes later)
An independent inquiry has been launched into the running of a failed NHS trust - amid concerns 150 deaths were not properly investigated.An independent inquiry has been launched into the running of a failed NHS trust - amid concerns 150 deaths were not properly investigated.
Liverpool Community Health (LCH), formed in 2010, ran services for about 750,000 people on Merseyside until 2018.Liverpool Community Health (LCH), formed in 2010, ran services for about 750,000 people on Merseyside until 2018.
The inquiry will look into "historic incidents of serious harm" and 17,000 cases related to patient safety.The inquiry will look into "historic incidents of serious harm" and 17,000 cases related to patient safety.
Health minister Stephen Hammond said families deserved answers.Health minister Stephen Hammond said families deserved answers.
The trust previously apologised to patients, families and staff.The trust previously apologised to patients, families and staff.
The new inquiry will be overseen by a panel led by Bill Kirkup, who led a 2018 investigation into the trust, as well as a review into the Morecambe Bay scandal at Furness General Hospital.The new inquiry will be overseen by a panel led by Bill Kirkup, who led a 2018 investigation into the trust, as well as a review into the Morecambe Bay scandal at Furness General Hospital.
It is also understood that an initial review by LCH's successor, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, has raised serious fresh concerns, including claims at least 150 deaths were not properly investigated.It is also understood that an initial review by LCH's successor, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, has raised serious fresh concerns, including claims at least 150 deaths were not properly investigated.
Mr Hammond said: "We owe it to the patients and families affected by substandard care in LCH to establish the full extent of events and give them the answers they need."Mr Hammond said: "We owe it to the patients and families affected by substandard care in LCH to establish the full extent of events and give them the answers they need."
What was Liverpool Community Health?What was Liverpool Community Health?
LCH was set up in 2010 to provide services such as district nursing, dentistry and diabetes care.LCH was set up in 2010 to provide services such as district nursing, dentistry and diabetes care.
It ran healthcare services at Liverpool Prison between 2011 and 2015.It ran healthcare services at Liverpool Prison between 2011 and 2015.
The trust stopped running healthcare services in 2018 after criticism from regulators and a report commissioned by itself.The trust stopped running healthcare services in 2018 after criticism from regulators and a report commissioned by itself.
LCH no longer exists, with most of its services now run by Mersey Care.LCH no longer exists, with most of its services now run by Mersey Care.
What went wrong?What went wrong?
A March 2016 review by law fire Capticks, which was requested by the trust, found an "oppressive" culture led to poor services, bullying of staff and may even have contributed to some deaths.A March 2016 review by law fire Capticks, which was requested by the trust, found an "oppressive" culture led to poor services, bullying of staff and may even have contributed to some deaths.
The review highlighted "failures at multiple levels" and revealed one man suffering from lung cancer was not diagnosed for four months.The review highlighted "failures at multiple levels" and revealed one man suffering from lung cancer was not diagnosed for four months.
It said the trust also failed to fully investigate an attack on a health worker taken "hostage" and seriously assaulted by a patient's relative in 2013.It said the trust also failed to fully investigate an attack on a health worker taken "hostage" and seriously assaulted by a patient's relative in 2013.
The 2018 Kirkup review found LCH was "dysfunctional from the outset" and patients suffered harm because the senior leadership team was "out of its depth".The 2018 Kirkup review found LCH was "dysfunctional from the outset" and patients suffered harm because the senior leadership team was "out of its depth".
Dr Kirkup's review said many of the problems stemmed from the trust embarking on a major cost-cutting programme after its formation in a failed effort to become a foundation trust, which would have allowed greater freedom from regulators.Dr Kirkup's review said many of the problems stemmed from the trust embarking on a major cost-cutting programme after its formation in a failed effort to become a foundation trust, which would have allowed greater freedom from regulators.
What action has been taken so far?What action has been taken so far?
A 2014 Care Quality Commission report found significant problems at the trust, prompting the resignation of top executives. A 2014 Care Quality Commission (CQC) report found significant problems at the trust, prompting the resignation of top executives.
They included former chief executive Bernie Cuthel, who was helped to find a 12-month secondment in a new role at Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust by NHS regulator, the Trust Delivery Authority (TDA).They included former chief executive Bernie Cuthel, who was helped to find a 12-month secondment in a new role at Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust by NHS regulator, the Trust Delivery Authority (TDA).
Emails seen by the BBC said the TDA believed the role "would provide Ms Cuthel with a period of rehabilitation, enabling her to reflect on learning from her experiences in Liverpool".Emails seen by the BBC said the TDA believed the role "would provide Ms Cuthel with a period of rehabilitation, enabling her to reflect on learning from her experiences in Liverpool".
Four former members of LCH staff are also facing fitness to practice hearings at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. They began in May and are due to last 14 weeks.Four former members of LCH staff are also facing fitness to practice hearings at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. They began in May and are due to last 14 weeks.
They include former director of nursing Helen Lockett, who was suspended in 2016.They include former director of nursing Helen Lockett, who was suspended in 2016.
What happens now?What happens now?
The Department of Health and Social Care's investigation will focus on serious incidents at the trust between 2010 and 2014.The Department of Health and Social Care's investigation will focus on serious incidents at the trust between 2010 and 2014.
It will "draw upon fresh evidence" from the Kirkup report and speak to families of former patients and staff to identify individual patient safety failings and look into the trust's handling of deaths.It will "draw upon fresh evidence" from the Kirkup report and speak to families of former patients and staff to identify individual patient safety failings and look into the trust's handling of deaths.
The review will "determine the scale of patient harm" and make recommendations to NHS trusts nationally.The review will "determine the scale of patient harm" and make recommendations to NHS trusts nationally.
Mersey Care has welcomed the inquiry and said its services were "safe" and protected by "robust" checks and governance.Mersey Care has welcomed the inquiry and said its services were "safe" and protected by "robust" checks and governance.
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper, who called for the 2014 CQC report, said: "It is important that those responsible are held to account.
"Patients and staff of LCH need certainty, stability and assurances that the harm caused by past failings will not be repeated."
Have you been personally affected by this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been personally affected by this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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