Two hospitals which serve Mid-Wales patients are to receive 'enhanced support', after the trust which runs them was placed into special measures.

On Thursday, November 8, the organisation responsible for overseeing foundation trusts and NHS trusts, NHS Improvement, said it had placed the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital trust(SaTH) into special measures for 'quality reasons'.

The move comes on the back of a troubled period for the increasingly embattled NHS trust, after a Care Quality Commission inspection in September left the organisation 'very concerned' over areas of care in the organisation's two main hospital sites, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital Telford.

It had also been facing criticism for a decision to close Accident and Emergency services overnight at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital due to a lack of staff numbers.

In a statement, NHS Improvement says the decision means that the trust will now receive enhanced support, including additional funding, additional capacity to support the planned improvement programme, external buddying arrangements and strengthened oversight arrangements.

The statement said: "Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust will get enhanced support to improve its services for patients as we have placed the trust into special measures for quality reasons.

"The decision comes as the trust continues to address several challenges where patient care could be at risk. These challenges include governance, workforce, urgent and maternity care and whistleblowing issues.

"We can place trusts into special measures for quality in response to a recommendation from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following its inspections and subsequent reports, as well as based on its own evidence. While that formal recommendation is awaited, we have made our decision based on the information we have gathered and having taken advice from CQC.

"The CQC carried out inspections of the trust’s services in August and September 2018. The CQC’s reports are expected imminently but in response to its findings, the CQC has already taken enforcement action to ensure patients get safe, high quality and compassionate care."

In a response issued today, Simon Wright, Chief Executive of SaTH, said the problems currently facing the organisation have been "years in the making", but said he saw signs of a "really good hospital trust, filled with really talented and dedicated people."

"The Trust is trying to fix a number of legacy problems in the way its services are delivered. These issues have been many years in the making. This is a huge challenge and putting things right is not an easy matter," he said.

"Over the last few weeks we have been discussing with NHS Improvement what extra support could be made available if the trust was placed in special measures. We absolutely welcome that extra support that comes with special measures and NHS Improvement's support for the trust's leadership to make the necessary improvements.

"We are confident that working with partners in the NHS and the wider community this Trust can deliver the great health services that the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales deserve.

"I understand that the announcement will, understandably, cause anxiety amongst our patients and staff. I am not denying that SaTH is facing challenges. The Board has been shining a spotlight on them for many months and, in some cases, years. However, we know and I know that our staff provide great care day in, day out.

"On that note it is important that we don’t lose sight of all the really great work that happens at SaTH every single day."

A statement from the Care Quality Commission said their full inspection report was currently undergoing checking, and would be released shortly.