Disturbing findings have been published today by the Health Service Ombudsman, Ann Abraham. Ms Abraham’s report entitled “Care and Compassion” is based on a detailed review of 10 cases of alleged neglect of NHS patients over the age of 65. These cases were chosen at random from over 1600 complaints made in 2010 by patients in this age category and their relatives.
Investigations revealed the plight of one patient who was discharged to a care home bruised, soaked in urine and dressed in another patient’s clothes, held up by paper clips.
Another lady was left to die on her own whilst her husband had been told to stay in the waiting room. They remembered that he was there 3 hours later.
One gentleman was discharged on the eve of a Bank Holiday weekend having been advised that he was suffering from advanced stomach cancer. He was not provided with adequate morphine and his family had to drive around in search of more.
Such cases are, unfortunately, not new to the clinical negligence department at Mayo Wynne Baxter. Our experience covers cases where nursing staff fail to attend to patients’ pressure area care to cases where hygiene needs and nutritional requirements are not adequately met or indeed even considered.
We also routinely encounter the client who is reluctant to pursue a “financially over stretched” NHS that is “only doing its best with the resources available”. This report makes it clear that lack of money is not to blame for these shocking findings but rather that there has been an “ignominious failure” to care for the patient’s social and emotional needs. Even more concerning is the indication from Ms Abraham that these ten cases are not isolated instances and are reflective of a growing trend within the NHS.
Whatever the reason, all patients, regardless of age, are entitled to a reasonable standard of nursing care and to be treated with dignity and respect. If you feel that you or a loved one have been let down in this regard then please do approach a member of our team for a free initial consultation.
