Call for 'urgent action' to cut hospital death rates
STAFFING at Grimsby's Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, along with those in Scunthope and Goole, must be "urgently reviewed" to cut death rates, which are among the highest in the UK.
That is the view an expert team, which found Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) – which manages the hospitals – to have higher mortality rates then similar UK trusts.
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Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby
The first phase of the Transforming Health Ltd review, led by Stephen Ramsden, a former NHS Chief Executive Officer and director of the national Patients Safety First Campaign, took place between March and June.
As part of the review, Mr Ramsden and his team heard from 35 people, who recounted their experiences of their treatment at hospitals across the trust. And, while some said they were delighted with the clinical care they had received, the team heard some had endured horrific experiences.
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One woman revealed after asking for pain relief in the evening, she was told she "should have taken it when she was offered it at lunchtime" – when she was not in pain.
Another spoke of being stripped naked on a ward for a bed bath by two nurses, who then talked over her as they washed her.
A family visiting a blind patient also claimed medication was left on their food trolley rather than being administered and was sometimes found on the floor.
Other general complaints included concerns over poor hygiene, with some claiming bedding was not changed, they did not get help washing and toilet facilities were poor.
During the first of four observational visits to wards, the team itself recorded that there were "few nurses available for patients' immediate needs". During the visit one patient said that during the night call bells go "unanswered for long periods", adding he had repeatedly asked for medication for his pain to no avail.
As a result of the review, the team has made 40 recommendations, including:
Urgently reviewing nurse staffing levels.
Resolving pressure on beds at Grimsby's hospital.
Improving the use of bedside documents, including details of fluid administration and observations.
However, the Trust has claimed many of the recommendations have already been addressed.
Medical director Dr Liz Scott said: "This is an issue for the whole health community and we are working hard within the Trust, with our colleagues in primary care and with surrounding academic institutions to make sure all possible factors are addressed.
"The Trust is one of the highest performing hospital NHS trusts in the country and we constantly strive to improve our quality of care and patient safety.
"We will continue to rigorously monitor all indicators, including our mortality data, to ensure we give the very best care possible to our patients."
Chief nurse Karen Dunderdale added: "The whole reason for the review is to understand why our mortality rate is higher than average and to then work on recommendations that can help us reduce this.
"There is a safe level of staffing across the Trust but we are aware of issues in specific areas.
"Nurse documentation is an issue for us – and on national level. We have already started work reviewing this to try to make it more patient focused.
"I have no concerns over staff levels and we have systems in place and currently running to improve upon the work already provided."
At a press conference yesterday the Trust would not reveal the number of deaths or give any breakdowns for the individual hospitals.
Get in touch
Have you lost a loved one who was being treated in hospital? Share your experiences – good and bad – by emailing katie.blackburn@gsmg.co.uk
Comments
by Bobster
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 1:29PM
“We are going through the complaints procedure with this hospital, and have been since JANUARY. The ward was put under special measures due to concerns over patient care etc, and it still goes on!!!! The whole thing is shocking.”
by clareee
Saturday, October 06 2012, 12:00AM
“"It's a waste of time using the complaints procedure with this hospital, they close ranks, deny receiving correspondence, totally ignore repeated requests for answers to pertinent questions''
I couldn't agree more, this hospital killed my mother in 2008, I am not a bitter relative trying to find someone to blame I am a rational minded person who watched my Mother walk into that stinking disgusting place for a straightforward procedure and pass away shortly after because of a mistake made during it, a mistake that was covered over by closing rank, I will never trust that place again!!!”
by 3Speech
Saturday, September 15 2012, 5:40PM
“Typical GT reporting - sensational but lazy! Where is the balance and context to the article?? Why is there no explanation of SHMI, or a comparison to HSMR, which is the indicator's predecessor? Where is the comparison data to those comparable Trusts, which would give perspective to the findings?? Why is the GT not investigating other issues which affect patient care within NLAG - i.e. impact of compulsory/voluntary redundancies which is based purely on saving money and not quality of service? Why have the CEO, and another Senior Manager(Governance) recently received significant pay rises when all other public sector workers pay is frozen or pay awards way below inflation? Why is the Trust Board and Council of Governors not protecting the interests of the public (in essence DOING THEIR JOB!!) I could go on, but looking at the level of comment from other contributors, I'll say no more........”
by krisiesue
Saturday, September 15 2012, 1:33PM
“Having spent a very long time in hospital, I have seen many things which I shouldn't have seen. I can fully understand why relations want to stay with their loved ones, which was the case in the ward I was in, as the care that was delivered by some of the carers was terrible. Some nurses and carers was very good but there was also some that was not caring at all, infact some should not be in that profession at all. It certainly opened my eyes.”
by smoker
Saturday, September 15 2012, 12:42PM
“Jules 22,
I completly agree with your comment about the food. It's probably that which is a factor in the death rate.”
by jules_22
Friday, September 14 2012, 11:57PM
“Having recently spent a week in Grimsby hospital having a major operation, I can only praise the treatment I received from everyone I came into contact with - nurses, health care persons, consultants, theatre staff, anesthetists, cleaners, tea lady etc. Every single one of these people treated me with respect and dignity and couldn't have been more caring. The only criticism I have is that the food is absolutely appalling - most of it totally inedible, cold when it arrives, and nothing like the description given on the menus. How on earth patients can be tempted with the stuff that is served up is beyond me. The only item I got that was hot was the ice cream!! I'm not joking either - the pot it was in was warm and the ice cream just one runny mess! But the food issue is nothing to do with the caring nursing staff. In my eyes they are all angels and lets face it - they have to put up with some pretty rude, arrogant, nasty patients at times!!”
by markus250666
Friday, September 14 2012, 10:38PM
“Madasahatter
Regards to the green arrow rating's i believe its somebody at G.T playing stupid games as i have noticed this over the last few days i.e me for instance got +33 on a comment i made then with a space of 5 mins wnet to -19 so i know G.T are playing games”
by Madasahatter
Friday, September 14 2012, 10:22PM
“Isn't it rather strange how green arrows suddenly change to red or zero. No doubt a nerve has been hit in certain quarters. But we all know the truth is out there, but persons in a position to admit failings haven't the bottle to hold-up their hand or even offer heartfelt appologies. Sadly I doubt things will change in the foreseable future.
Whoever keeps hitting the red arrows at least enter your own comments and put a good case forward in defence of your opinions. Perhaps it is you & your colleagues who ignored & failed to respond to my official complaint.”
by markus250666
Friday, September 14 2012, 8:08PM
“I wonder how many high ranks at NELC, when there time comes will go through our poor NHS Hospital for treatment?? i bet most if not all will go private i.e Bupa. while the rest of us suffer a poor and decaying NHS service. something needs to be done and now, And not when it to late”
by Madasahatter
Friday, September 14 2012, 7:32PM
“It's a waste of time using the complaints procedure with this hospital, they close ranks, deny receiving correspondence, totally ignore repeated requests for answers to pertinent questions . Even the parliamentary ombudsman is a toothless tiger. After 2 years of trying to get the truth from the powers to be and two different chief executives, the truth was still not forthcoming regarding the treatment of my late father. Yes there are one or two caring nurses, but they are far outnumbered by the uncaring ones and inept management.”