ISLE of Wight NHS should be placed in special measures, according to a damning CQC report obtained by the County Press just days after the departure of chief executive Karen Baker.

In a statement last Friday, Ms Baker said she was proud of the progress they had made in may areas during her five years at the helm. She acknowledged however, that they had not always provided the care expected by the public.

The report, leaked to the Isle of Wight County Press this week (Wednesday) details the shocking state of the Island's services. 

The County Press reported last month that the trust was being placed in special measures, however Isle of Wight NHS refused to comment and described the reports as 'misleading.'

But less than three weeks later, the County Press has obtained a copy of the draft CQC report, in which the chief inspector recommends the NHS place the Island's trust in special measures.

The trust is battling with a £12 million deficit, low staffing numbers, and is struggling to provide a quality service. 

Karen Baker, former chief executive of the trust, stepped down just days before the report revealed the management was 'out of touch' and not aware of what was happening on the front line. 

The report highlighted serious issues across the trust, including: 

• Disillusioned staff who were overworked and sometimes bullied


• Executives who were out of touch with what was happening on the front line

• Understaffed wards were affecting patient safety and care 

• Inpatient mental health wards were deemed to be unsafe

• End of life patients were not always transferred to their preferred place of death

For the full story, see the Isle of Wight County Press today, Friday, April 7.