A hospital serving private and NHS patients put their safety at risk in favour of meeting financial targets, a damning report has revealed.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Fawkham Manor Hospital in Longfield three times last August and again in November, during which time they found poor infection prevention policies and parts of the hospital that were visibly unclean.

Leadership was poor, with senior managers often making assumptions about the quality of care rather than actively seeking assurances, some patient records were incomplete and there were instances where their privacy and confidentiality was compromised.

During interviews with staff, inspectors were told that care quality and safety was regularly sacrificed to ensure the hospital met financial targets by getting as many patients through the door for operations as possible.

Among the surgeries offered at the hospital - which has 30 beds, two theatres, and seven consulting rooms - are orthopaedic, gynaecology, urology, ophthalmics, gastroenterology and plastic surgery.

The report said that patients "were at high risk of avoidable harm, or abuse, as the hospital did not consistently follow safety systems, processes and standard operating procedures", and that the equipment and facilities were "unsafe" for children and young people.

Professor Edward Baker, the CQC's Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals for the south of England, assigned the hospital with a rating of 'inadequate' - the lowest possible rating.

“Overall, we have rated the service provided by BMI Fawkham Manor Hospital as inadequate, because of concerns around safety and leadership," he said.

“Patients were at risk of harm, because the hospital was not following the correct safety systems and processes. This needs to be addressed as a priority.

“While the provider, BMI Healthcare Limited, has focused some improvements in these areas, such as strengthening the leadership team at the hospital, we are not convinced yet that the changes are fully embedded."

Areas in which the hospital needs to improve are:

• Maintaining an accurate, complete, and up-to-date record of each patient.
• Care and treatment must reflect evidence-based guidance, standards, and best practice, rather than assumptions.
• Staff must follow patient pathways and corporate policies and practices.
• Medical patient outcomes must be better assessed.
• Risks must be given sufficient priority, identified and lessened.
• The hospital must compile a risk register and a process for monitoring this.

Professor Baker added: “We have identified those areas where the hospital must improve.

"We will return to Fawkham Manor within six months to check on their progress made: if there is no improvement we will consider taking further action.”

One of the few bright spot within the report was praise for the commitment of staff, who were said to deliver care "with compassion, dignity and respect", and received the required training to do their jobs.

Feedback from some patients was also positive, and the CQC has not placed any restrictions on the hospital as a result of its findings.

A spokesman for BMI Healthcare said: "Patient care and safety is our absolute priority, and we will not accept practices that fall short of the expectations that we – and our patients – have of the hospital.

"All healthcare providers need to achieve financial balance, but this should never be at the expense of patient safety" BMI Healthcare

"All healthcare providers need to achieve financial balance, but this should never be at the expense of patient safety.

"Whilst we are disappointed with the CQC’s findings, we are pleased that the CQC also saw evidence of the commitment of our staff and the compassionate care they deliver to patients.

"We are working through a detailed action plan which addresses each and every one of the concerns and the CQC has been supportive of the prompt action we have taken."

More than £250,000 was spent to enhance the hospital's operating theatres over Christmas, with further investment planned, and inspectors have been invited back.

If you have any questions or concerns about the hospital, you are encouraged to contact BMI's patient helpline on 0800 096 2254.