Newcastle Hospitals attributes loss of patient letters to computer glitch.

According to the BBC, a hospital trust in Newcastle has failed to send out 24,000 letters from senior doctors to patients and their GPs due to a problem with the hospital's computer system. This issue has been ongoing since 2018 and has raised concerns about patient safety. The healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has requested urgent assurance regarding patient safety and has instructed staff to record any incidents of patient harm. The trust conducted a routine inspection over the summer, during which staff highlighted delays in sending out correspondence. A subsequent review revealed that unsent letters were found in the electronic record accounts of most consultants. While some letters explain post-hospital discharge instructions, a significant number of unsent letters provide instructions for specialized patient care. Staff at Newcastle Hospitals have lodged complaints about the system for years, stating that it is slow and difficult to use. The trust has acknowledged that letters drafted by one staff member must be approved by a second clinician before they can be sent. If this does not occur, the letters remain unsent until they receive proper authorization. The CQC has taken immediate action to understand the extent of the risk to patients and the steps being taken to mitigate delays in treatment. The trust has submitted an action plan and will provide weekly updates on its progress. The trust plans to address a backlog of 6,000 letters from the past year, some of which may be duplicates or created in error. The impact of this issue on patients is a concern for the CQC. The British Medical Association also expressed worry, noting that patients may not receive important information from these letters, such as test results or changes in medication. Newcastle Hospitals' chief operating officer has assured patients that immediate steps are being taken to address the problem and apologized for any inconvenience caused. The trust is currently reviewing the affected electronic records and will inform patients and GPs directly if any concerns are found. The CQC will closely monitor the situation and can inspect the trust if necessary. They plan to release their findings and any required improvements soon. Patients with concerns about their care can contact the CQC directly.