catmag 337 Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) Coroner criticises 'chaotic' care A coroner is set to complain to a hospital chief executive after branding the care of several elderly patients, who died, as "chaotic and despicable". Mr John Pollard is to write to the boss of Tameside General Hospital following four inquests. "When I see standards fall below those which I think are proper and acceptable I am going to make my views known," Mr Pollard told the BBC. Tameside and Glossop NHS Trust said it is investigating his allegations. The coroner added: "If people don't like that I'm sorry but it is part of my duty to the community. "I don't want to over-dramatise things and call this the tip of an iceberg, but what I do know is that on a regular basis I come across complaints from families about the care of patients in hospitals. "It's generally the case that the work done by the surgeons or physicians is good work - it is the basic care that is lacking and hospitals are letting themselves down." He also said: "What I'm trying to do is ensure that standards in all hospitals in my jurisdiction are improved constantly so the people of the area are properly looked after in hospital... and are afforded a level of dignity all of us are entitled to expect." Mr Pollard heard claims from the family of Watkin Davies, 84, from Ashton Under Lyne, that he was left in his own excrement with open wounds. The coroner said the care given to Mr Davies was "absolutely despicable". He described the treatment of Hilda Douglas, 75, from Audenshaw, who died of severe heart failure after admission for a fit, as "chaotic". The relatives of Mrs Douglas told him she was left in a narrow bed with no cot sides in A&E, staff could not find her medical notes and the medicine her family brought was trampled on the floor and not taken with her to her ward. Recording a misadventure verdict on Raymond Lees, 75, of Ashton, Mr Pollard heard his family describe the standard of care as "shameful and inhumane". Mr Lees, who contracted MRSA after a knee operation, saw his waistline drop from 46 inches to 32. A statement from the trust said it was "naturally concerned to read about the coroner's allegations" and it would act on the results of an internal investigation. It added: "Last year, the trust improved monitoring of its clinical areas with the introduction of matron's rounds." Health Minister Andy Burnham said he was assured appropriate action would be taken by the trust. My lovely old hospital in Manchester comes in for a slating once again. Weird to see GMTV reporters stood outside of it on the telly this morning! Maybe if they looked at getting more nurses to fill the ridiculous amount of vacancies, they'd find that standards improved somewhat. Having worked on the wards there, all I can say is that it's impossible for 2 qualified nurses to care for 24 patients to the standard expected - it's physically impossible despite their best efforts which cannot be questioned. Interesting stuff from a coroner who when the allegations against Shipman first came to light dismissed the fact that such a pillar of the community should be implicated in something as serious as murder too - until he was forced to look at it again of course.... Edited September 29, 2006 by catmag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 47750 Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Canny shit like, because unfortunately it reflects badly on those that are no doubt working their arses off - the nurses. When, like any business, it's the fucking morons at the top that are getting it all wrong. It must be fucking soul-destroying to have your competence questioned on national TV and then have to turn up to work later on today to do the same largely thankless job. On an unrelated note, I love the word Glossop. And what sort of a first name is Watkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catmag 337 Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) My best mate is finishing her nights this morning - I might ask her to give the camera a wave on her way past. Now an interview with her would be an interesting one for GMTV! You're right about the soul-destroying bit. That's why I left the wards (even though I was called many things for deserting a sinking ship) I just couldn't do my job properly and it was making me ill. I would regularly work 15 hour days and still not be able to care for people to the standards I'd be satisfied with, never mind the management or the government Edited September 29, 2006 by catmag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 47750 Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I think you've said it before like, but it seems a job that relies heavily on people being guilted into putting the extra in to make it work. There aren't enough staff or hours in a shift, so the only way to get it to work is to lean on people's consciences and hope that works. Which would be unacceptable in any line of work, but in work where you're making people feel guilty for the wellbeing of others it's a disgrace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catmag 337 Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 Just spoken to the friend in question to warn her that the hospital is getting a slating again and that the cameras are outside. She's supposed to finish her shift in an hour but is just about to transfer a critically ill patient to Liverpool as there are no beds available in the hospital. I know of at least 2 wards of 24-beds which are empty (closed down by management) as there aren't enough staff to run them, and the rest of the hospital is always rammed full. Anyway, Sue will be leaving for Liverpool soon meaning that by the time she gets back it'll be about 10.30am - that's 14 hours after the start of her shift. She's heading up here for the weekend tonight an'all so I best get another bottle of wine in cos I can almost hear the ranting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catmag 337 Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 I think you've said it before like, but it seems a job that relies heavily on people being guilted into putting the extra in to make it work. There aren't enough staff or hours in a shift, so the only way to get it to work is to lean on people's consciences and hope that works. Which would be unacceptable in any line of work, but in work where you're making people feel guilty for the wellbeing of others it's a disgrace. And yet it's just accepted as the norm in the NHS. You really do get used to it, despite thinking to yourself "This wouldn't be allowed in any other job" The number of times someone has said to me "Oh well if no-one stays behind then this kid won't be able to have his operation...." What the fuck are you supposed to say to that?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 My best mate is finishing her nights this morning - I might ask her to give the camera a wave on her way past. Now an interview with her would be an interesting one for GMTV! You're right about the soul-destroying bit. That's why I left the wards (even though I was called many things for deserting a sinking ship) I just couldn't do my job properly and it was making me ill. I would regularly work 15 hour days and still not be able to care for people to the standards I'd be satisfied with, never mind the management or the government Tis shocking. My best friend's daughter (who only graduated a about 15months ago) is working on the bank at Torbay hosp, she only started a couple weeks ago, she came home shattered the other day...during her shift she'd been assigned 9 patients....in an area she was not particulary familiiar with too. How could she possibly give proper care in those circumstances? Its disgusting, she should never be put in that position, and its the norm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now