“OLD blood on machines, thick dust and broken equipment” were among a litany of issues found during an inspection of Southend Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) undertook an unannounced inspection of the hospital in January, raising a number of concerns about the A&E department, according to a leaked memo.

The full report has not yet been published, but a leaked internal memo seen by the Echo reveals “significant concerns”.

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The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust - which manages Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals - insisted the inspection also highlighted “good team work” and “compassionate care”, adding that specific issues are being addressed.

“Thick dust” was reported on resus trollies and equipment while there was said to be “significant amounts of old blood” around the unit’s arterial blood gas machine- used to check for severe breathing and lung problems.

The memo went on to highlight “used sharps left in cubicles on trollies”, “broken equipment not reported”, and “insulin without an open date.”

The vast majority of patients were found to not have their call buzzers and they were not within reach, while those who did where often “left for over ten minutes when pressing their call bell”.

In a list of “reminders” sent to staff following the inspection, it was reiterated that “adequate PPE is non-negotiable,” with staff encouraged to “challenge” their colleagues and “escalate if support is required”.

Southend Hospital was previously rated “requires improvement” overall following an inspection in August.

That inspection focussed on diagnostic imaging at Southend Hospital and the maternity wards at all three hospitals within the trust.

A spokesman for the CQC said: “We can confirm, our inspectors have visited Mid and South Essex NHS Trust  in January 2023. Inspectors are currently working through our report processes.

“The trust will then be able to check the report for factual accuracy. We will publish the report on our website when these processes are completed.”

A spokesman for the trust said: “An unannounced inspection took place in January 2023. Inspectors witnessed some good team working and compassionate care, and we are working to address the specific issues raised.”