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Healthcare regulator CQC 'may have covered up failings' Healthcare regulator CQC 'may have covered up failings'
(about 2 hours later)
The healthcare regulator in England may have "deliberately" covered up knowledge of its own failings, according to a report due out later.The healthcare regulator in England may have "deliberately" covered up knowledge of its own failings, according to a report due out later.
The review looked the Care Quality Commission's response to complaints about several deaths of newborn babies at Furness General Hospital in Cumbria. The review looked at the Care Quality Commission's response to complaints about several deaths of newborn babies at Furness General Hospital in Cumbria.
It identifies a "dysfunctional working relationship" within the organisation.It identifies a "dysfunctional working relationship" within the organisation.
The CQC admits giving "false assurances to the public" in 2010 but said there was no evidence of a cover-up.The CQC admits giving "false assurances to the public" in 2010 but said there was no evidence of a cover-up.
The investigation was carried out by consultancy firm Grant Thornton on behalf of the CQC.The investigation was carried out by consultancy firm Grant Thornton on behalf of the CQC.
In 2008, nine-day-old Joshua Titcombe died from a treatable infection after being born in the maternity ward of Furness General Hospital.In 2008, nine-day-old Joshua Titcombe died from a treatable infection after being born in the maternity ward of Furness General Hospital.
His death, and those of three other babies and two mothers, led to growing concerns about care standards and sparked a complaint to the CQC.His death, and those of three other babies and two mothers, led to growing concerns about care standards and sparked a complaint to the CQC.
More than 30 families have taken legal action against Furness General Hospital relating to baby and maternal deaths and injuries.More than 30 families have taken legal action against Furness General Hospital relating to baby and maternal deaths and injuries.
A police investigation into the death of Joshua Titcombe at the hospital is continuing.A police investigation into the death of Joshua Titcombe at the hospital is continuing.
The trust has said that, given the ongoing investigation, it would be "inappropriate to comment on individual cases".The trust has said that, given the ongoing investigation, it would be "inappropriate to comment on individual cases".
But it has said there was "no denying that the trust has let women and their families down in the past" and that a new trust board was "determined to learn from it".But it has said there was "no denying that the trust has let women and their families down in the past" and that a new trust board was "determined to learn from it".
'False assurances''False assurances'
An independent report due to be published later - but obtained by Radio 4's Today programme - shows the CQC not only failed to launch an investigation when it was first told about the deaths, but went on to register the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust as safe in 2010.An independent report due to be published later - but obtained by Radio 4's Today programme - shows the CQC not only failed to launch an investigation when it was first told about the deaths, but went on to register the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust as safe in 2010.
The report also found evidence that an internal review by the regulator into what went wrong was destroyed at the request of a senior manager.The report also found evidence that an internal review by the regulator into what went wrong was destroyed at the request of a senior manager.
The individual concerned denies that an instruction was given to delete the report.The individual concerned denies that an instruction was given to delete the report.
The CQC admits it provided "false assurances to the public" in 2010 but it says there is no evidence of a systemic cover-up.The CQC admits it provided "false assurances to the public" in 2010 but it says there is no evidence of a systemic cover-up.
It said in a statement the report revealed "just how poor" the CQC's oversight of the trust was.It said in a statement the report revealed "just how poor" the CQC's oversight of the trust was.
"This is not the way things should have happened. It is not the way things will happen in the future," it said."This is not the way things should have happened. It is not the way things will happen in the future," it said.
CQC chairman David Prior said the publication of the report "draws a line in the sand for us".CQC chairman David Prior said the publication of the report "draws a line in the sand for us".
"What happened in the past was wholly unacceptable."What happened in the past was wholly unacceptable.
"The report confirms our view that at a senior level the organisation was dysfunctional. The board and the senior executive team have been radically changed.""The report confirms our view that at a senior level the organisation was dysfunctional. The board and the senior executive team have been radically changed."
'Serious allegation''Serious allegation'
Shadow health minister Jamie Reed called on ministers "to order an urgent investigation into the questions raised by this report".Shadow health minister Jamie Reed called on ministers "to order an urgent investigation into the questions raised by this report".
"It would be indefensible for the CQC, the regulator charged with keeping our hospitals safe, to attempt a cover-up designed to mask its own failings," he said."It would be indefensible for the CQC, the regulator charged with keeping our hospitals safe, to attempt a cover-up designed to mask its own failings," he said.
"My constituents who use this hospital deserve much better and the government needs to provide answers on every aspect of this serious allegation.""My constituents who use this hospital deserve much better and the government needs to provide answers on every aspect of this serious allegation."
It is not the first time the regulator has come under fire since its creation in 2009.It is not the first time the regulator has come under fire since its creation in 2009.
Widespread concerns prompted ministers to scrutinise the CQC's performance and recommend a raft of changes including the creation of a new hospitals chief inspector post and a ratings system.Widespread concerns prompted ministers to scrutinise the CQC's performance and recommend a raft of changes including the creation of a new hospitals chief inspector post and a ratings system.
The CQC itself has made many changes, including appointing a new chief executive and chairman.The CQC itself has made many changes, including appointing a new chief executive and chairman.
Action against Medical Accidents chief executive Peter Walsh said the report was "a vindication of what local people affected by failings by the trust and by regulators have been saying".Action against Medical Accidents chief executive Peter Walsh said the report was "a vindication of what local people affected by failings by the trust and by regulators have been saying".
"It underlines the need for a fully independent and wide-ranging inquiry into how, even in the aftermath of Mid Staffordshire, the regulatory system utterly failed to protect patients and sought to cover up," he added."It underlines the need for a fully independent and wide-ranging inquiry into how, even in the aftermath of Mid Staffordshire, the regulatory system utterly failed to protect patients and sought to cover up," he added.
"It is vital that the new leaders of the CQC ensure it is a robust, proactive and honest regulator.""It is vital that the new leaders of the CQC ensure it is a robust, proactive and honest regulator."
The CQC was created in April 2009 following the abolition of three specific bodies covering health, mental health and social care.The CQC was created in April 2009 following the abolition of three specific bodies covering health, mental health and social care.