British hospital accused of poor care

ESSEX, England, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A new report has severely criticized a British hospital in Essex for allegedly deplorable conditions leading to a death rate a third higher than normal.

Poor nursing, filthy wards and lack of leadership at Basildon University Hospital, partnered with Thurrock University Hospital in a foundation trust, contributed to 400 avoidable deaths in a year, the Care Quality Commission said in a report issued Friday.

Among the worst failings cited were a lack of basic nursing skills, curtains spattered with blood on wards, mold in vital equipment and patients being left in emergency status for up to 10 hours.

Concerns about death rates at the hospital trust were first raised a year ago but an internal investigation found nothing wrong.

The new external report, however, found "systematic failings" in the trust's senior management team, the Daily Telegraph said. The commission called its confidence in the management's ability "severely dented."