Watchdog warning boosts nurse numbers at one emergency department

Managers at a north London emergency department (ED) are boosting nurse numbers on each shift to avoid action being taken by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) over failure to improve care.

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust was warned by the CQC in June about a lack of senior specialist doctors, which was delaying emergency care. 

The regulator said it will take action, including preventing the hospital from providing emergency services, unless care is improved by 26 August.

Shortage of doctors

The trust is boosting nurse numbers on each shift to address the shortage of doctors. It has also appointed a clinical director and introduced the Safer, Faster, Better programme to speed up the flow of patients through the ED. 

Trust director of nursing Paul Reeves said: ‘Nursing in our ED is regarded as very strong.’