The Care Quality Commission will not hesitate to take action if required after it was revealed thousands of Liverpool patients missed out on vital cancer screenings.
Around 1,800 patients on a two-week wait pathway for potential cancer screenings were not offered a second consultation if they did not attend an initially scheduled session with Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. National guidance states that a second booking should happen automatically.
READ MORE: Concert Square sex video couple wanted by police as people urged not to share footage
As a result, the trust immediately referred itself to the CQC which has now issued a response. The care body has said it will work alongside the trust to resolve the issue but is keeping an open mind in terms of any potential damage done.
A two-week referral is a request from a General Practitioner (GP) to ask a hospital for an urgent appointment for a patient as they have symptoms that might indicate cancer. The two-week system was introduced to allow for examinations to be conducted as quickly as possible.
Dr Jim Gardner, trust executive medical director, is now chairing an incident management group to “systematically review this group of patients in order to establish whether they still require an appointment and whether they have suffered any harm.” An internal investigation identified the lack of referral “leaves a risk that these patients could require specialist review but have not received it and their GP may be unaware.”
A CQC spokesperson said: “CQC are aware of an issue at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which could be a potential risk to patients who did not attend their appointment under the cancer two-week wait pathway. As soon as the trust were aware of this issue they informed CQC and other partners, and are carrying out an investigation to identify if any patients are at risk of harm.
“Our main priority is always the safety of people using health and social care services, and we will work closely with the trust to monitor the situation to ensure people are receiving safe care. If we are concerned we will not hesitate to take action in line with our regulatory powers.”
In the trust’s initial response, Dr Gardener said it was “extremely sorry for the concern this may cause our patients and their families” and would contact patients directly who were in need of a follow-up appointment.
READ NEXT
Liverpool Council forced to pay compensation after failing to support disabled teens
Private pest control charges dropped by Liverpool Council
Hundreds of thousands spent to help house those fleeing war
Major fears about 'death trap' junction in new Lime Street layout
