The collapse of the NHS is a horror to behold. Now, stories are coming out of what can only be described as appalling conditions in one hospital. From the story:
The full extent of the horrific conditions at an NHS hospital where hundreds may have died because of ‘appalling’ care was laid bare yesterday. Dehydrated patients were forced to drink out of flower vases, while others were left in soiled linen on filthy wards. Relatives of patients who died at Staffordshire General Hospital told how they were so worried by the standard of care they slept in chairs on the wards. The ‘shocking’ catalogue of failures was released yesterday after an independent investigation by the Healthcare Commission…
Among the findings of the report were:
— Receptionists carrying out initial checks on patients;
—Two clinical decision units—one unstaffed—used as ‘dumping grounds’ for A&E patients to avoid missing waiting targets;
— Nurses who turned off heart monitors because they didn’t understand how to use them;
— Delayed operations, with some patients having surgery cancelled four days in a row and left without food, drink or medication;
— Vital equipment such as heart defibrilators was not working.
About 400 more people died at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected, the Healthcare Commission said. It said there were deficiencies at “virtually every stage” of emergency care and managers pursued targets to the detriment of patient care.
Can you imagine?
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