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QEH Surgery Rated Requires Improvement

Wednesday, 8 July 2026 17:16

Surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been told to improve after inspectors raised concerns about safety and hygiene.

Surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn has been rated as requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors visited the hospital on 17 and 18 March 2026 after concerns were raised about an emerging safety risk for patients receiving surgical care.

The CQC found some positive practice, including good safety procedures within operating theatre teams and treatment being delivered in line with legislation and evidence-based standards.

However, inspectors also raised concerns about patient safety, incomplete risk assessments, incident reporting, unrestricted access to ward areas, hygiene issues, obstructed fire exits and incorrect storage of oxygen cylinders.

The regulator said the service breached legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment, and premises and equipment. The hospital’s overall rating remains requires improvement.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital says it is sorry that standards were not consistently met and says immediate action has been taken to address the issues identified.

Hospital bosses say patient safety remains their priority and improvement work is already under way.

The CQC says it will continue to monitor the trust and expects the hospital to make the required changes to keep patients safe.

 

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