'DEMORALISED' hospital staff should 'hang in there', despite the Isle of Wight NHS being placed in special measures today (Wednesday), Island MP Andrew Turner has said. 
Although the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors slammed the trust's management team for being out of touch and unaware of the front-line struggles, they praised staff for being caring and putting patients first. 
In light of the damning report, Mr Turner said it was important to remember how hard staff at St Mary's Hospital worked.
"Front-line staff still manage to deliver a caring service to patients, despite chaotic organisation, numerous poor practices, excessive bureaucracy and out-of-touch leadership," he said.
"For all the disappointment and anger that this report may generate, I want to pay tribute to and thank the staff who have simply got on with their jobs and looked after their patients.
"They have done a magnificent job under what has clearly been very difficult circumstances.
"My message to NHS staff who are likely to feel even more demoralised by the latest developments is, please hang in there and keep caring for your patients as you have done all along. You will be vital to the improvement process."
The Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) purchases healthcare services for the Island and works closely with the NHS Trust. 
In a statement released today, chairman Dr Michele Legg said the organisation was determined to help turn things around. 
"As a local GP and CCG chair, I am disappointed with the Care Quality Commission findings and terribly sorry that local people, my patients and their families haven't been receiving high quality care that they expect and deserve.
"Our priority as a CCG continues to be focused on planning and buying safe, high quality and sustainable services on behalf of Islanders that meets their needs now and in the future."
Cllr Dave Stewart, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said professionals needed to work together for the good of the Island.
"I am sure every Islander will want to be reassured there is a clear plan of action in place to sort out the problems found at the hospital. "Although there is also a need to establish just how the trust has found itself in this situation, now is not the time for apportioning blame, it is a time for focus on putting things right.
"So we must all re double our efforts to help the hospital trust sort the situation out as soon as possible."