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CQC Prosecutions & Enforcement Press Notices

Criminal prosecutions, fixed penalty notices and Section 29A warning notices issued by the Care Quality Commission against NHS trusts and announced in a CQC press notice, verified against that notice. CQC publishes no machine-readable register of these, so the list is curated and reaches back to 2009. Fines shown are the headline fine stated in the notice and exclude prosecution costs and the victim surcharge. This is a historic prosecutions register rather than the current regulatory position.

133 actions12 prosecutions£6.9m fines imposed

Coverage: CQC criminal prosecutions, fixed penalties and Section 29A warning notices announced by CQC press notice, back to 2009. A historic prosecutions register, not the current regulatory position — see CQC Enforcement (Single Assessment Framework) for that. Fines are the headline fine stated in the notice and exclude prosecution costs and the victim surcharge.

Newest content date: 15 Jun 2026. This describes the content held here, not the date this page was opened.

How this source is collected and updated
Collection method
Curated
Observed update
Updated occasionally
Last record written
19 Aug 2026

Records written on 2 of the last 90 days; last write 19 Aug 2026.

Publisher's stated schedule: Periodic. That is the publisher's own description, not a measurement of this copy.

Enforcement actions

133 matching records

Wye Valley NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeJan 2016
The Care Quality Commission issued Wye Valley NHS Trust with a warning notice following an inspection in September and October 2015. The warning required the trust to make significant improvements to its systems for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks to patient health,...
The Care Quality Commission issued Wye Valley NHS Trust with a warning notice following an inspection in September and October 2015. The warning required the trust to make significant improvements to its systems for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks to patient health, safety, and welfare. Inspectors found that systems to protect patients from abuse and avoidable harm were not operating effectively, and there were insufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff.

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Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeJan 2016
During an inspection in September and October 2015, CQC inspectors found Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust needed to make a number of urgent improvements. Following this, CQC issued a letter to the trust highlighting the urgent improvements required to ensure...
During an inspection in September and October 2015, CQC inspectors found Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust needed to make a number of urgent improvements. Following this, CQC issued a letter to the trust highlighting the urgent improvements required to ensure it was consistently delivering safe, effective, caring, and responsive care.

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Medway NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeJan 2016
The Care Quality Commission rated Medway NHS Foundation Trust as Inadequate and recommended it remain in special measures. Following an inspection, CQC told the trust it must make improvements in 31 areas, including patient flow, environment within the emergency department, and...
The Care Quality Commission rated Medway NHS Foundation Trust as Inadequate and recommended it remain in special measures. Following an inspection, CQC told the trust it must make improvements in 31 areas, including patient flow, environment within the emergency department, and quality of senior leadership.

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Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeOct 2015
The Care Quality Commission told Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust that it must make significant improvements to its Urgent and Emergency Services, specifically concerning the Emergency Department at Royal Sussex County Hospital. Following an inspection on 22...
The Care Quality Commission told Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust that it must make significant improvements to its Urgent and Emergency Services, specifically concerning the Emergency Department at Royal Sussex County Hospital. Following an inspection on 22 June, CQC raised concerns about patient flow and the timeliness of care, rating two aspects of urgent and emergency services as Inadequate. Inspectors found issues with staffing, facilities, and patient safety due to treatment delays and insufficient skilled nurses.

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East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeSep 2015
The Care Quality Commission rated East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust as Inadequate overall following an unannounced inspection in March 2015. The trust was told it must make improvements in 12 main areas, including rebuilding effective relationships with staff, creating an open...
The Care Quality Commission rated East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust as Inadequate overall following an unannounced inspection in March 2015. The trust was told it must make improvements in 12 main areas, including rebuilding effective relationships with staff, creating an open organisational culture, and ensuring sustained compliance with the NHS National Schedule for Cleanliness.

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Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeAug 2015
The Care Quality Commission has issued a warning notice to Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust. This action was taken after concerns were raised around the flow of patients through the A&E department, whether care was being provided soon enough, and whether patients received...
The Care Quality Commission has issued a warning notice to Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust. This action was taken after concerns were raised around the flow of patients through the A&E department, whether care was being provided soon enough, and whether patients received sufficient pain relief. Inspectors found the emergency department was disorganised, with patients commonly experiencing delays in their care and treatment, and staffing levels were not sufficient to protect patients from avoidable harm.

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Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeMay 2014
The Care Quality Commission has formally warned Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust that it needs to improve the care it provides to people using its mental health community services. CQC told the trust to make urgent improvements following an inspection in...
The Care Quality Commission has formally warned Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust that it needs to improve the care it provides to people using its mental health community services. CQC told the trust to make urgent improvements following an inspection in March, where it was found not to be meeting national standards relating to medicines management and supporting workers. Inspectors found ongoing issues with how medicines were managed by crisis teams, and that staff had not been sufficiently supported during a recent team reorganisation.

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Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2014
The Care Quality Commission formally warned Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust that it must improve the care it provides at the Campbell Centre, Milton Keynes, and 3 Beatrice Place, Kensington. At the Campbell Centre, warning notices were issued for not meeting...
The Care Quality Commission formally warned Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust that it must improve the care it provides at the Campbell Centre, Milton Keynes, and 3 Beatrice Place, Kensington. At the Campbell Centre, warning notices were issued for not meeting standards in care and welfare, safety and suitability of premises, and assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision. At 3 Beatrice Place, CQC found that care delivered was not appropriately recorded or reviewed, the provider had not responded appropriately to an allegation of abuse, and staff training for restraint was inadequate.

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Medway NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2014
The Care Quality Commission has formally warned Medway NHS Foundation Trust that it needs to improve the care it provides to patients in the emergency department at Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham. CQC issued warning notices to the trust after an unannounced inspection in...
The Care Quality Commission has formally warned Medway NHS Foundation Trust that it needs to improve the care it provides to patients in the emergency department at Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham. CQC issued warning notices to the trust after an unannounced inspection in December found it was not meeting national standards relating to care and welfare of people, and cleanliness and infection control. Inspectors found that the department’s lack of capacity was severely affecting the care and treatment provided to people, and that the department was dirty in some areas.

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Medway NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeOct 2013
The Care Quality Commission issued three formal warnings to Medway NHS Foundation Trust following an unannounced inspection of its maternity and midwifery services at Medway Maritime Hospital in August. The inspection found that the trust did not meet national regulations in...
The Care Quality Commission issued three formal warnings to Medway NHS Foundation Trust following an unannounced inspection of its maternity and midwifery services at Medway Maritime Hospital in August. The inspection found that the trust did not meet national regulations in three specific areas: staffing, supporting workers, and assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision. CQC stated that the trust must take urgent action to improve the safety and welfare of women using these services.

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Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeOct 2013
CQC told Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with two national standards of quality and safety at its children’s inpatient services based at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. This followed an unannounced inspection on 3 September 2013,...
CQC told Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with two national standards of quality and safety at its children’s inpatient services based at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. This followed an unannounced inspection on 3 September 2013, which found standards relating to the care and welfare of people and staffing were not being met. As a result, CQC asked the trust to provide an action plan in relation to these two standards.

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Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeOct 2013
The Care Quality Commission issued a formal warning notice to Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust. This action followed an unannounced inspection in June, which found the hospital was failing to meet five national standards, including those related to patient records. The...
The Care Quality Commission issued a formal warning notice to Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust. This action followed an unannounced inspection in June, which found the hospital was failing to meet five national standards, including those related to patient records. The warning requires the trust to make urgent improvements to ensure accurate patient record-keeping by 29 November to protect people from risks of unsafe care.

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Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeSep 2013
CQC issued a formal warning to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust following an unannounced visit to Amersham Hospital on 4 July 2013. Inspectors found that the service was not taking appropriate steps to ensure sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff were on duty. The...
CQC issued a formal warning to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust following an unannounced visit to Amersham Hospital on 4 July 2013. Inspectors found that the service was not taking appropriate steps to ensure sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff were on duty. The trust was told to improve in this area by 30 September 2013.

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Barts Health NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeSep 2013
The Care Quality Commission told Barts Health NHS Trust that it must improve patient care and support given to staff at the Royal London Hospital. This followed an unannounced inspection in June where the hospital was found to be not meeting five of seven national standards,...
The Care Quality Commission told Barts Health NHS Trust that it must improve patient care and support given to staff at the Royal London Hospital. This followed an unannounced inspection in June where the hospital was found to be not meeting five of seven national standards, including concerns in maternity services and elderly care wards regarding dignity, staffing, and care planning.

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Bedford Hospital NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeAug 2013
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued formal warnings to Bedford Hospital NHS Trust following unannounced inspections in July 2013. CQC found the trust was not meeting national standards of quality and safety, specifically regarding staffing levels and the care and welfare of...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued formal warnings to Bedford Hospital NHS Trust following unannounced inspections in July 2013. CQC found the trust was not meeting national standards of quality and safety, specifically regarding staffing levels and the care and welfare of people using services. The trust was told it must make urgent improvements.

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Barts Health NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeAug 2013
The Care Quality Commission issued three formal warning notices to Barts Health NHS Trust following unannounced inspections at Whipps Cross University Hospital in May and June. The warnings required urgent improvements to protect patients and addressed the hospital's...
The Care Quality Commission issued three formal warning notices to Barts Health NHS Trust following unannounced inspections at Whipps Cross University Hospital in May and June. The warnings required urgent improvements to protect patients and addressed the hospital's non-compliance with national regulations in areas including cleanliness and infection control, equipment safety, and staff support.

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Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeAug 2013
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with the national standards of quality and safety. This follows an unannounced inspection where inspectors found that people were not always...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with the national standards of quality and safety. This follows an unannounced inspection where inspectors found that people were not always provided with a choice of suitable food and drink, and that people’s dignity was not always respected. CQC has now issued a formal warning to the trust regarding the standard relating to meeting nutritional needs and has told the trust that urgent improvements are required.

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Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeJul 2013
The Care Quality Commission issued a formal warning to Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, requiring urgent improvements to protect patients undergoing surgery at Derriford Hospital. This action followed an unannounced inspection where the trust did not meet five national standards,...
The Care Quality Commission issued a formal warning to Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, requiring urgent improvements to protect patients undergoing surgery at Derriford Hospital. This action followed an unannounced inspection where the trust did not meet five national standards, including concerns about operation scheduling and staff availability.

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Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMay 2013
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) told Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with national standards of quality and safety. This followed an unannounced inspection in March 2013 which found that standards relating to...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) told Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with national standards of quality and safety. This followed an unannounced inspection in March 2013 which found that standards relating to cleanliness and infection control, supporting workers, and assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision were not being met. Inspectors found that systems for checking service delivery were not robust, and some policies and procedures were not always followed.

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Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeMay 2013
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with national standards of quality and safety. This followed an unannounced inspection at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, which found the trust...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust it must make urgent improvements to comply with national standards of quality and safety. This followed an unannounced inspection at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, which found the trust was not meeting national standards relating to the care and welfare of people who use services and the management of medicines. Inspectors found inaccurate nursing records for patients and that effective arrangements were not always in place for the storage, security, and safe administration of some medicines.

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Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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OtherNov 2012

The Care Quality Commission took action at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This decision followed an inspection which revealed serious concerns regarding standards at Basildon University Hospital.

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University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2012
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued two formal warning notices to University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Following investigation visits, inspectors found that patients were not always monitored appropriately at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued two formal warning notices to University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Following investigation visits, inspectors found that patients were not always monitored appropriately at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General. Additionally, patients were not always afforded privacy and dignity or placed on mixed sex accommodation in the clinical decisions unit at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

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East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeJun 2011
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a warning notice to East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, requiring urgent improvements to patient care. Inspectors found insufficient staff to support proper patient care in some areas, and that care plans and risk assessments were not...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a warning notice to East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, requiring urgent improvements to patient care. Inspectors found insufficient staff to support proper patient care in some areas, and that care plans and risk assessments were not completed or were inaccurate. Additionally, patients did not always receive the help they needed to eat and drink.

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Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMay 2011
CQC inspectors found that Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was failing to meet a number of essential standards of care for patients. CQC raised immediate concerns with the trust, demanding that identified problems be addressed and requiring the chief executive...
CQC inspectors found that Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was failing to meet a number of essential standards of care for patients. CQC raised immediate concerns with the trust, demanding that identified problems be addressed and requiring the chief executive to provide plans for improvement.

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East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeMay 2011
CQC inspectors found East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust was failing to meet a number of essential standards of care for patients following a review in February 2011. CQC raised immediate concerns with the trust's chief executive, demanding that the trust address identified problems...
CQC inspectors found East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust was failing to meet a number of essential standards of care for patients following a review in February 2011. CQC raised immediate concerns with the trust's chief executive, demanding that the trust address identified problems and provide plans showing how it would improve to meet the essential standards.

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Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMay 2011
The Care Quality Commission reviewed information and visited the trust on 9 March 2011, finding that care was falling short of essential standards in three areas, including safe and appropriate care and meeting individual dietary needs. CQC is requiring Tameside Hospital NHS...
The Care Quality Commission reviewed information and visited the trust on 9 March 2011, finding that care was falling short of essential standards in three areas, including safe and appropriate care and meeting individual dietary needs. CQC is requiring Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to take action to comply with these essential standards.

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Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2011
The Care Quality Commission told Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that it must take action to improve services at Peterborough City Hospital. Following a review of compliance, inspectors found the trust was not meeting five essential standards of quality...
The Care Quality Commission told Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that it must take action to improve services at Peterborough City Hospital. Following a review of compliance, inspectors found the trust was not meeting five essential standards of quality and safety, including care and welfare, safety and suitability of premises, and records.

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Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2011
The Care Quality Commission demanded that Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust take action to improve services following a review in November 2010. The review found that two hospitals, William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and a KMPT unit at Medway Maritime...
The Care Quality Commission demanded that Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust take action to improve services following a review in November 2010. The review found that two hospitals, William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and a KMPT unit at Medway Maritime Hospital, were not meeting essential standards for the care and welfare of people and the safety and suitability of premises. KMPT was required to submit a report within 28 days outlining how it would achieve compliance with these standards.

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Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2011
Following a review, the Care Quality Commission found that incidents concerning patient safety were not being reported quickly enough to the National Patient Safety Agency. The CQC required that the trust address this issue by 23 March, stating that if improvements were not...
Following a review, the Care Quality Commission found that incidents concerning patient safety were not being reported quickly enough to the National Patient Safety Agency. The CQC required that the trust address this issue by 23 March, stating that if improvements were not made, next steps could include prosecution.

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United Lincolnshire NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2011
Following a visit to Pilgrim Hospital, the Care Quality Commission found United Lincolnshire NHS Trust was not taking appropriate steps to ensure people receive effective, safe and appropriate care. Inspectors noted that care plans did not always reflect patient needs, and risk...
Following a visit to Pilgrim Hospital, the Care Quality Commission found United Lincolnshire NHS Trust was not taking appropriate steps to ensure people receive effective, safe and appropriate care. Inspectors noted that care plans did not always reflect patient needs, and risk assessments lacked sufficient detail or clear actions to minimise risk. CQC has demanded the trust take immediate action to ensure patients receive the necessary assessment and support.

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Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeMar 2011
The Care Quality Commission told Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust that it must take action to improve the care of those accessing its specialist mental health and learning disability services. Reports identified areas for improvement including the safety and...
The Care Quality Commission told Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust that it must take action to improve the care of those accessing its specialist mental health and learning disability services. Reports identified areas for improvement including the safety and suitability of hospital premises, care and welfare of people, cleanliness and infection control, staffing, respecting and involving people, and record-keeping. Inspectors highlighted major concerns regarding the safety and suitability of the trust’s premises, specifically identifying ‘ligature points’ as potential risks to patient safety.

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Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

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Warning NoticeFeb 2011
Following a visit to Derriford Hospital, the Care Quality Commission found that important check-lists recommended by the World Health Organisation and the National Patient Safety Agency were not being used effectively by surgical teams. The CQC required Plymouth Hospitals NHS...
Following a visit to Derriford Hospital, the Care Quality Commission found that important check-lists recommended by the World Health Organisation and the National Patient Safety Agency were not being used effectively by surgical teams. The CQC required Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust to address this issue immediately to ensure full and consistent compliance with safety check lists.

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Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Warning NoticeNov 2009
The Care Quality Commission raised serious concerns regarding the quality of services at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. These concerns included a poor care environment in A&E, inadequate arrangements for treating children, and breaches of...
The Care Quality Commission raised serious concerns regarding the quality of services at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. These concerns included a poor care environment in A&E, inadequate arrangements for treating children, and breaches of infection control standards. CQC had previously issued a warning notice concerning the breaches of infection control standards.

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Enforcement actions by type

Read the chart values
Enforcement actions by type
CategoryValue
Warning Notice93
Conditions Imposed16
Criminal Prosecution12
Urgent Enforcement Action7
Fixed Penalty Notice4
Other1

The chart shows the mix of enforcement actions in the loaded register.

CQC enforcement under the Single Assessment Framework, from 2024 onward, is recorded separately — view it here

Data from CQC Prosecutions & Enforcement Press Notices, published by Care Quality Commission.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.