NHS accused of covering up report into failings at centre for rape victims

Investigators concluded issues at Whitechapel Haven “echoed the underlying failures identified” by the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire scandal.

But the report, carried out for Barts NHS Believe in, was not manufactured public until it was obtained beneath Freedom of Information request by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Barts NHS Trust, which ran the Whitechapel Haven, denied striving to cover up the problems raised in the report but apologised for “inexcusable failings” at the east London unit.

A spokesman mentioned: “We are very sorry for the inexcusable failings at the Whitechapel Haven.

“As soon as we became aware that there was an issue in 2011, we took swift and immediate action to make sure that all the affected samples have been re-tested and contacted the individuals concerned to provide a total apology, assistance and counselling.

“Our priority has often been to make positive that folks concerned received the complete support that they necessary and there is no suggestion that the trust acted in an inappropriate way for the duration of the investigation.

“The Believe in has strived for transparency all through.”

Whitechapel Haven was closed for four months final yr following failings initial came to light.

As a outcome the Barts NHS probe was launched and uncovered “a common air of grubbiness” and “multiple deficiencies” in the centre’s dealings with children and vulnerable adults.

The report, completed in April this yr, identified worries raised by the Division of Well being were “treated in a dismissive manner” and ignored.

No-one particular at Whitechapel Haven took accountability for the patient care standards, investigators claimed.

They concluded the lead clinician was “either unable to take leadership or not suitably qualified or knowledgeable to assume this role”.

The report stated: “The details gathered echoed numerous of the underlying failures recognized in the Francis report in terms of clinical requirements, clinical governance, accountability, education and staff failing to successfully increase their considerations.”

Whitechapel Haven reopened beneath the management of King’s School Hospital NHS Foundation Believe in in April this yr offering a reduced support.

An NHS England spokesman stated two members of workers had been dismissed following the investigation.

He said victims impacted by the failures at Whitechapel Haven had been contacted and provided the likelihood to make a new appointment with a qualified counsellor.

Barts NHS Believe in said it shared the report’s findings with workers King’s College Hospital, who now run the centre.

A spokesman extra that the report was due to be discussed at an NHS England meeting in February “to make sure lessons can be discovered.”

In a statement, King’s College Hospital explained: “Since April, we’ve worked hard to drive forward improvements across the entire service.”

Liz Kendall, Labour’s shadow care minister, explained: “The girls who have been impacted have a right to know who is accountable for [these failings] and that they are effectively held to account.”

NHS accused of covering up report into failings at centre for rape victims