Two Kent MPs say patients and their families "deserve answers" over a hospital trust's coronavirus control.

A watchdog has taken enforcement action against East Kent Hospitals Trust after concerns were raised over care and the risk to patients.

The trust, which runs hospitals in Ashford , Margate , Canterbury , Dover and Folkestone , was left with the most deaths from Covid-19 in England in July .

In the same month, a grieving widow spoke out after her husband died of the virus at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital after being admitted for a broken leg.

The situation escalated to the point where the trust was accounting for almost one in four coronavirus deaths in the country.

During that time, NHS figures showed the number of people testing positive for the virus 15 days after being admitted to hospital was twice as high as at other trusts.

A positive coronavirus test is described as "definitely healthcare-associated" if it is confirmed 15 days after admission, and "possibly healthcare-associated" if after eight days.

Yesterday, it was announced inspectors at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) made a Section 31 action after a visit to the William Harvey on August 12.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield welcomed the CQC's actions, saying: "My team and I have raised numerous instances of concern with the trust regarding potential hospital-acquired Covid-19 infections and the high mortality rate.

"I await the outcome of the findings with interest, as will many affected families."

Ashford MP Damian Green, whose constituency includes the William Harvey, said the news left him "very concerned", but echoed Ms Duffield's thoughts on families needing answers.

He said: "I'm glad the trust and the CQC are working together, because it's hugely important that the hospital can do the full range of jobs, and cracking down hard on potential infections is a hugely important part of that.

"The fact that there is now national help going in there is extremely important.

"People deserve transparency at all times, especially with the health service, and the fact that the CQC is involved means that the facts will be properly investigated.

"It's been a terrible time for many families and I want them to go away from this having confidence that they've had the answers at the very least."

Yesterday, professor Ted Baker, CQC's chief inspector of hospitals, said: "As a result of serious concerns we have taken immediate enforcement action at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

"CQC inspectors visited the trust on August 12 after concerns were raised about the standards of care and the risk to patients.

"People deserve transparency... it has been a terrible time for many families"

"As the trust has the right to appeal the action that we have taken, it would be inappropriate for CQC to comment further."

The investigative body declined to go into detail about what the enforcement action will entail.

A spokesman for East Kent Hospitals said there would be "physical changes" to address the issues brought up by the inespction.

They said: “Keeping our patients and staff safe is always our top priority.

"We have reviewed and are strengthening our procedures and training, overseen by an experienced director of infection prevention and control.

"We are asking our staff to always follow recommended guidance, are making further physical changes to our buildings to improve infection control and support social distancing, and have reported on this progress to the CQC, while being supported by NHS England and NHS Improvement.”

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