Epsom and St Helier hospitals have been forced to draft in outside help after a watchdog report exposed “inappropriate behaviour” and a lack of leadership in the critical care department.

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Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors visited last week and reported a list of concerns about the way the critical care unit was being run.

A senior doctor from St George’s Hospital, Dr Maurizio Cecconi, has been installed as clinical lead alongside Deborah Dawson as consultant nurse for intensive care, in a bid to turn around the service.

In a report due to be presented to the hospitals’ governing body tomorrow, chief executive Daniel Elkeles said immediately after the feedback a response team was set up at both hospitals.

He added: “The CQC are assured that we have responded appropriately and taken robust action.

“We will get their full report in the first quarter of 2016.

“Whatever the outcome of the report I, and all of the board, know just how hard every one has worked and how much passion and enthusiasm our staff showed the CQC inspectors.”

The report also notes “winter has come early” with emergency departments under more pressure than normal, exacerbated by a spike in paediatric visits in November.

Last week the trust received a cash boost of £1.8m from GPs to stave off a care meltdown over winter.

The funding will be distributed between children’s services, weekend support and A&E.