Sandwell Hospital ward is under scrutiny

A Sandwell Hospital ward is to remain under scrutiny following concerns over care, a new report said today.

Newton 4, which cares for stroke patients at the West Bromwich hospital, was highlighted after an unannounced inspection was carried out.

The Care Quality Commission completed its inspection in March.

Officials saw incidents including an incontinent patient remaining unwashed for an hour-and-a-half despite asking staff for help.

A "radical" action plan was drawn up and the trust closed Newton 4, replacing it with two separate units for acute stroke and stroke rehabilitation, and stopping general medical admissions.

It has now been revealed the commission does not think the ward has improved enough, despite a follow-up visit in August.

The findings were revealed in a report to the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee of Sandwell and Birmingham Councils, which will meet on December 13.

Rachel Overfield, Chief Nurse at the trust, today said the wards had improved but would stay in special measures until standards are being "consistently delivered". She said an action plan was submitted to the commission to lead improvements.

She added: "The same actions are in place as have been in place all along, such as targeted support, additional training, regular audits of practice, patient surveys, and all of these indicate that both wards are improving and delivering good care consistently."

Inspectors will be making another unannounced visit.

In March, the Commission said there were not enough staff for people who needed support to eat and in one incident a patient was left on a bed half naked.

The most recent inspection carried out found staff's respect for people using services was still a "moderate concern".