A hospital has been ordered to improve its urgent and emergency services after inspectors raised serious safety concerns.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgraded the safety rating of A&E at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital to inadequate.
Inspectors found patients being cared for in corridors and some waiting more than 72 hours for a bed.
Dr Des Holden, acting chief executive of East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (EKHFT), said care seen by inspectors was “unacceptable for patients and staff” but said “significant changes” had since been made, which were reflected in a later inspection in May.
The Margate hospital remains rated requires improvement overall following an inspection in January.
Urgent and emergency services were again rated requires improvement for caring, responsiveness, effectiveness and leadership.
The CQC said it found breaches relating to safe care and treatment, dignity and respect, and staffing.
It also said medical care has been upgraded to outstanding; with an improvement in responsiveness, leadership and effectiveness, but safety still required improvement.
Amanda Williams, CQC deputy director of hospitals, secondary and specialist care for the South East, said: “We found serious concerns about the safety and quality of care in the emergency department, alongside notably positive experiences in medical care.
“In urgent and emergency care, the department was under serious and sustained pressure, and the systems meant to keep people safe weren’t holding up under that strain.”