Three London-based CCGs with concerns about chronic shortages of medical staff at A&E departments have launched a joint investigation to determine whether they provide safe services.
Barking and Dagenham CCG, Havering CCG and Redbridge CCG are to conduct an external clinical review of A&E services in Essex at King George Hospital in Goodmayes, and Queen’s Hospital in Romford.
The hospitals are managed by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. NHS England is supporting the move.
Dr Jitendra Kakad, clinical director of Havering CCG said: ‘As GPs and commissioners of local health services, patient safety is our number one priority. That’s why we have asked the review team to report their findings as quickly as possible.’
Trust chief executive Averil Dongworth said: ‘It is really important that both staff and management at the Trust and CCGs respond quickly and in partnership to the pressure on our local A&Es. This process will help ensure services remain safe for local people in the future.’
