Hospital patients routinely neglected says damning report
An independent inquiry, chaired by Robert Francis QC, was launched last year after hundreds of 'excess' patient deaths at Stafford Hospital were revealed by the Healthcare Commission.
The report stated the Trust was 'preoccupied with cost cutting, targets and processes'.
Access Legal from Shoosmiths solicitor and medical negligence specialist Kathryn Turner said: "We've been urging the NHS for some time to start learning from its mistakes instead of putting up the shutters and closing ranks when failures like this happen.
"If it doesn't learn from this, an absolutely damning report, then surely it never will."
The report, based on evidence from more than 900 patients and families, said the most basic elements of care were neglected, and patients were:
- ignored when they asked to use the bathroom
- left lying on soiled sheets
- left sitting on commodes for hours at a time
- left unwashed, sometimes for up to a month
- unable to reach food and drinks
- discharged from hospital early, only to return soon afterwards
At the publication of the report, Mr Francis said: "I heard so many stories of shocking care. Many patients suffered horrific experiences that will haunt them and their loved ones for the rest of their lives."
He said there was a 'chronic shortage of staff, low morale, and 'a disturbing lack of compassion towards their patients' from some nursing staff.
Kathryn Turner said: "Where there is a clear failure on the part of trusts, their hospitals or other care services they provide, they must be more willing to hold their hands up and admit when staff or systems have led to mistakes.
"The NHS should be spending more time and effort on preventing system failures like this in the first place, rather than having to deal with the consequences.
"If people can see an open and honest NHS, one that is quick to admit its mistakes, they will have increased respect for their hospitals and doctors."
For more, please go to: http://www.midstaffsinquiry.com/pressrelease.html
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