'Unsafe' private hospital's registration bid thrown out

The Care Quality Commission rejected Rotherham Private Hospital’s application to be the official provider of services at the Birkdale Clinic on Clifton Lane.

The CQC made 49 improvement requirements after a June 2009 inspection and a tribunal in Liverpool dismissed the appeal last month.

Jo Dent, CQC regional director welcomed the unanimous decision to dismiss the appeal.

She said: “The panel concluded that this hospital was meeting only half of the national minimum standards.

“The corporate view was that they didn’t matter so long as nothing serious has happened to the patients.

“As a result of the breaches, safety was potentially compromised to such an extent that a very serious incident could quite easily have occurred.”

Dr Promod Bhatnagar, Rotherham Private Hospital’s sole director, gave evidence at the hearing. Mrs Dent was pleased that any suggestion of bias against him by the CQC dismissed.

She added: “The panel noted that part of Dr Bhatnagar’s evidence raised serious concerns about his attitude to compliance with basic standards.

“It had been alleged that CQC’s staff had shown bias in their dealings with Dr Bhatnagar and his companies.

“I am pleased to note that the tribunal rejected these allegations outright and concluded that CQC staff had acted professionally throughout.”

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