Significant improvements underway at Whipps Cross in response to CQC findings
Whipps Cross Hospital is implementing important changes to improve safety, privacy, and dignity for patients in its emergency department following the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.
The report positively acknowledged the service as “caring,” with patients feeling supported and listened to, and “well-led,” with staff reporting strong local support in their roles. However, it also identified areas for improvement, and we are taking immediate and significant steps to enhance patient care.
We are improving infection, prevention and control practices, including putting on extra training, monitoring standards, and managing the use of medicines. Privacy curtains have been installed in corridor areas to support patient dignity as we work towards eliminating corridor care altogether.
To reduce overcrowding and waiting times, we are limiting the number of patients in the ambulance handover area and have opened a new space for up to 17 patients awaiting admission, offering them a more private and comfortable setting. A new Rapid Assessment and Treatment trial ensures that patients arriving at A&E are seen promptly by a clinician, prioritising the most urgent cases to reduce delays in care.
To drive lasting improvements, we have appointed Karim Ahmed as a dedicated improvement director for urgent and emergency care.
We are collaborating with local partners, including our local primary care networks and NELFT, to reduce unnecessary A&E visits, improve use of the Urgent Treatment Centre, support timely discharges, and reduce mental health patient wait times. We are also working with the London Ambulance Service to ensure better access to Same Day Emergency Care, providing treatment without always going through A&E.
Staffing remains a top priority. We continue to strengthen our team by recruiting more nurses, doctors, and other key roles to deliver high-quality care.
Chief Executive Dr Amanjit Jhund said, “Our priority is to provide safe, high-quality care, and the changes we’ve made show our commitment to improvement. As we prepare for winter, we remain focused on ensuring swift, safe, and dignified care, with further progress guided by patient and colleague feedback.”