The Patients Association report is all over the Blogosphere and the media today, the Telegraph has the usual.
'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed
One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today.
In the last six years, the Patients Association claims hundreds of thousands have suffered from poor standards of nursing, often with 'neglectful, demeaning, painful and sometimes downright cruel' treatment.
The charity has disclosed a horrifying catalogue of elderly people left in pain, in soiled bed clothes, denied adequate food and drink, and suffering from repeatedly cancelled operations, missed diagnoses and dismissive staff.
The Patients Association said the dossier proves that while the scale of the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust - where up to 1,200 people died through failings in urgent care - was a one off, there are repeated examples they have uncovered of the same appalling standards throughout the NHS.
While the criticisms cover all aspects of hospital care, the treatment and attitude of nurses stands out as a repeated theme across almost all of the cases.
They have called on Government and the Care Quality Commission to conduct an urgent review of standards of basic hospital care and to enforce stricter supervision and regulation.
Tell me about it, I have seen first hand the “treatment” given to Mrs. A, I have seen the arrogance of doctors, consultants and nurses, and the lack of diagnostic skills, nursing skills and “people” skills.
I have told every “power that be” about it, and their response? Nothing: cover ups, protection of medics, hospitals and CEOs, I have seen the lack of understanding by the same, and the indifferent attitude of Medical staff.
The NHS is a wonderful institution, and the majority of treatment given is good, the Mid Staffs thing was only a one of because of the scale of deaths and bad treatment, but it happens in all hospitals, I have said this before and I will reiterate, poor medical treatment is caused by poor attitude of staff, poor training, and worst of all poor management, not the “top floor” management but the frontline management.
There is a basic lack of training of frontline management, and screaming about lack of staff and resources is not the answer, the answer is “speak up”, don’t moan about it, get off your arse and DO SOMETHING about it.
But staff won’t because of the threat to their jobs, whistleblowers are usually fired, doctors won’t say anything because the GMC will pounce on them and take away their livelihood, consultants won’t say or do anything because they are already at the top and it “isn’t their concern”.
Time was when you could get things done by clubbing together and making changes, but not anymore, we have become insular, someone else’s’ problem is ignored because it would involve doing something and the attitude today is-let somebody else do it, not my problem, as long as I am alright sod the rest.
This is fine until it happens to you, until you go into hospital for a “routine” operation and end up in ICU for 23 days, then die from cancer because it was not diagnosed, then the screams will begin, then it will matter, but by then it will be too late.
What we must remember is that we are all patients, and the treatment given to others could very well be the treatment you receive when it is your turn.
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
AnglishLit
Angus Dei politico
'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed
One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today.
In the last six years, the Patients Association claims hundreds of thousands have suffered from poor standards of nursing, often with 'neglectful, demeaning, painful and sometimes downright cruel' treatment.
The charity has disclosed a horrifying catalogue of elderly people left in pain, in soiled bed clothes, denied adequate food and drink, and suffering from repeatedly cancelled operations, missed diagnoses and dismissive staff.
The Patients Association said the dossier proves that while the scale of the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust - where up to 1,200 people died through failings in urgent care - was a one off, there are repeated examples they have uncovered of the same appalling standards throughout the NHS.
While the criticisms cover all aspects of hospital care, the treatment and attitude of nurses stands out as a repeated theme across almost all of the cases.
They have called on Government and the Care Quality Commission to conduct an urgent review of standards of basic hospital care and to enforce stricter supervision and regulation.
Tell me about it, I have seen first hand the “treatment” given to Mrs. A, I have seen the arrogance of doctors, consultants and nurses, and the lack of diagnostic skills, nursing skills and “people” skills.
I have told every “power that be” about it, and their response? Nothing: cover ups, protection of medics, hospitals and CEOs, I have seen the lack of understanding by the same, and the indifferent attitude of Medical staff.
The NHS is a wonderful institution, and the majority of treatment given is good, the Mid Staffs thing was only a one of because of the scale of deaths and bad treatment, but it happens in all hospitals, I have said this before and I will reiterate, poor medical treatment is caused by poor attitude of staff, poor training, and worst of all poor management, not the “top floor” management but the frontline management.
There is a basic lack of training of frontline management, and screaming about lack of staff and resources is not the answer, the answer is “speak up”, don’t moan about it, get off your arse and DO SOMETHING about it.
But staff won’t because of the threat to their jobs, whistleblowers are usually fired, doctors won’t say anything because the GMC will pounce on them and take away their livelihood, consultants won’t say or do anything because they are already at the top and it “isn’t their concern”.
Time was when you could get things done by clubbing together and making changes, but not anymore, we have become insular, someone else’s’ problem is ignored because it would involve doing something and the attitude today is-let somebody else do it, not my problem, as long as I am alright sod the rest.
This is fine until it happens to you, until you go into hospital for a “routine” operation and end up in ICU for 23 days, then die from cancer because it was not diagnosed, then the screams will begin, then it will matter, but by then it will be too late.
What we must remember is that we are all patients, and the treatment given to others could very well be the treatment you receive when it is your turn.
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
AnglishLit
Angus Dei politico
