The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is prosecuting University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust following an incident in which a young patient absconded from Worthing Hospital’s children’s ward.
The regulator alleges the trust failed to provide safe care and treatment, breaching the Health and Social Care Act 2008 regulations on preventing “avoidable harm.”
The case, relating to an event in 2022, is due to be heard at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27th October.
University Hospitals Sussex, which runs several hospitals across the county, has faced growing scrutiny in recent years, including an independent review into workplace culture and a government investigation into its maternity services.
The CQC said it takes failures in patient safety “extremely seriously” and will use its enforcement powers where necessary to protect the public.
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