Hospital still requires improvement, say inspectors

An Essex hospital still requires improvement, according to inspectors who have raised concerns about leadership and overcrowding.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected services including accident and emergency, urgent care and surgery at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

Sarah Ivory-Donnelly, from the CQC, said they found "shortfalls in people's safety", adding they were being addressed by leaders "with varying degrees of success".

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said it accepted the CQC's findings and said improvements were being made.

The report followed visits to the hospital between November 2025 and January 2026, having last been inspected in 2023.

Inspectors found "there was still intense pressure on the emergency department, stemming from high demand, poor flow and, temporarily, an ongoing refurbishment of the building".

"This created some long waits and crowding during times of high demand, impacting people's privacy and quality of care," said Ivory-Donnelly, the CQC's deputy director of hospitals in the East of England.

"This was particularly impactful on people waiting for mental health care from other organisations, as the department didn't always have enough facilities or mental health staff for them to wait safely and comfortably."

Staff on surgery wards "weren't completing all risk assessments consistently, and some handovers between staff were poor," she added.

Inspectors also found that although most areas were clean, some staff didn't always follow best practice to control infection risks - such as washing their hands between patients.

But Ivory-Donnelly said "it was clear that frontline staff.. were trying hard to mitigate risks and offer people the best care they could in difficult circumstances".

"People told us many times that staff were kind, respectful, and helped them understand their treatment," she said, adding that leaders "were quick to respond when we raised our concerns to them".

The CQC said it has requested action plans from the trust to address its most pressing concerns, and it had "acted immediately to make improvements".

Thom Lafferty, chief executive of The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said it recognised that "at the time of the inspection, there were areas where we needed to improve", with "clear action" taken since, leading to "significant and sustained improvements for patients".

"As a result of operational changes, we have reduced waiting times and improved patient access to care," he said.

"The report includes positive feedback from patients about the kindness and dedication of our staff, and I see that every day.

"We take confidence from the improvements we are making, while remaining honest about the work still ahead."

He added: "I want to thank every colleague for their continued commitment, compassion and professionalism, and for everything they are doing to support our patients, our communities and each other."

Lafferty said in January that the trust was considering redeveloping Princess Alexandra - rather than building a replacement hospital on another site as previously planned.

Work on the project, expected to cost up to £2bn, is due to begin between 2032 and 2034, with completion by 2040.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.