An NHS trust has issued an apology following widespread criticism of its children's services at an east London hospital, prompted by concerns raised by local parents and a Labour MP. Queen's Hospital in Romford, managed by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), is at the centre of a campaign led by families and Dagenham & Rainham MP Margaret Mullane. Parents are demanding that the cash-strapped hospital install 'safe beds' for children and adults with complex and special needs, with Mullane describing their experiences as 'totally unacceptable'.
Trust Acknowledges Shortcomings
Nic Kane, chief nurse at BHRUT, stated: 'We know our children’s A&E department is not always the best place to care for children with additional needs, and we’re sorry some families have had a poor experience. We will be meeting with Margaret Mullane MP and parents soon so we can discuss their concerns and how we can address them.' She added that the trust has worked closely with families requiring specialist beds to ensure safe care, and collaborates with its learning disability team to provide LD passports for frequent attendees.
MP Demands Changes
Margaret Mullane has pledged to arrange a meeting with Fiona Wheeler, the trust's new chief executive, after previously writing to outgoing chief Matthew Trainer about her concerns regarding the A&E department's pressure. Following a meeting with parents earlier this month, she said: 'It was heartbreaking to hear the stories from parents, I am determined to work and campaign with them to secure the necessary changes at Queen’s to prevent these distressing problems from happening again.'
Funding Campaign for A&E Transformation
BHRUT is currently campaigning for a £42 million fund to transform the A&E department at Queen’s Hospital, including the children's A&E. The A&E department saw more than 750 patients a day in March—more than double its capacity of 325—which the trust described as 'particularly challenging'. Fiona Wheeler previously stated that the 20-year-old service 'isn’t fit for purpose', while her predecessor noted that the £42m is 'needed to develop a modern, fit-for-purpose department and eradicate corridor care'.
