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  "description": "Glenfield hospital still requires improvement after inspectors found that services were understaffed and infection control was poor ",
  "path": "/glenfield-hospital-unclean-theatres-and-understaffed-according-to-inspectors/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-15T06:00:50.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.leicester.news",
  "tags": [
    "Leicester Gazette",
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    "Learn more",
    "Click here for membership"
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  "textContent": "This story was written by the ****local democracy reporting service (LDRS),**** a BBC-funded scheme to improve the coverage of issues relating to local democracy. The Leicester Gazette has been a partner in the scheme since March 2024, and so receives some stories as part of it.\n\n****Because LDRS reporters are not employed by the Gazette, their stories do not follow our style guide or**** standards code****.****\n\n\n                            Learn more\n                        \n\nThe Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected Glenfield Hospital, which serves more than a million residents, following concerns about the “culture” in the cardiac surgery department and the potential impact this had on patient safety.\n\nThe hospital was downgraded from a “good” rating – the second highest to “requires improvement” – the second lowest – in 2022 after inspectors witnessed long wait times, the use of medical equipment past its service date, and staff not taking appropriate action when medicines weren’t stored properly.\n\nThe latest unannounced inspection, published on June 10, focussed on cardiac, thoracic, vascular and hepatobiliary services. Inspectors said they will carry out a more comprehensive inspection soon, when a better score for the hospital will be up for grabs, but the “requires improvement” rating remains unchanged for now.\n\nThe watchdog said the specialties they assessed did not have sufficient numbers of “suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced” staff.\n\nAccording to the report, the risk of infection was “not always prevented and controlled” within theatres, which were not always “clean, well maintained and safe”.\n\nConcerns were also raised about the culture of a “minority of staff” in one department, who inspectors say did not consistently demonstrate “clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability or good governance”.\n\nIn total, four breaches of the Health and Social Care Act were found.\n\n## Join the conversation\n\nOur app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community.\n\n\n\n\n__Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__\n\nHowever, patient feedback was largely positive, with those interviewed reporting caring staff, strong communication, and a safe environment, although some wished to be kept better informed about when they would be going to theatre.\n\nInspectors also said the wellbeing of staff at the hospital was sufficiently promoted.\n\nUltimately, the surgery service holds a “good” score for being effective, caring, and well-led, and a “requires improvement” score for being safe and responsive.\n\nThe government watchdog has now requested an action plan to address the findings.\n\nGang Xu, medical director at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “We welcome the findings of the CQC report, which recognises the kind, compassionate care our colleagues provide every day, alongside the positive experiences of patients.\n\n“The report also highlights areas for improvement including staffing, equipment management and patient access, and we are taking action to address these.\n\n“Since the inspection 12 months ago, we have strengthened recruitment and retention, waiting list management, and our theatre environment and equipment. We continue to focus on supporting an open culture where staff feel confident to speak up.\n\n“Patient safety is our top priority, and we will review the findings carefully to ensure our ongoing improvement work remains focused and effective.”\n\n* * *\n\n**Before you go…** We've recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we're a small team on a shoestring budget.\n\nNow, we're ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.**\n\nThe app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It's a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community.\n\n* * *",
  "title": "Glenfield hospital: 'unclean theatres' and 'understaffed' according to inspectors",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T08:00:51.758Z"
}