Furness General Hospital boss finds comments ‘distressing’
Last updated at 16:55, Monday, 16 July 2012
A HEALTH boss has admitted he found comments and stories described in a regulator’s report as “distressing”.
The Care Quality Commission’s report into emergency care provided by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust included various shocking references to interviews with staff and patients.
Compiled following an investigation at Furness General Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary between January and March, the publication included stories from a relative who said staff “laughed and taunted” her mother when she complained about her care. Another patient was told by a nurse: “Don’t know what’s the matter with you, there are plenty of people worse off than you.”
And one staff member told the health regulator about an elderly, confused patient who had multiple falls following her transfer to a different part of the hospital and had to be taken back to her original ward.
UHMBT interim chief executive, Eric Morton, said: “Some of the small anecdotal stories were distressing and frankly, we just won’t tolerate them.” But, Mr Morton reiterated UHMBT was confident fundamental improvements have already been made at the trust’s hospitals.
The CQC itself noted recent changes to the trust’s management have resulted in actions to address many of the issues highlighted in its report.
Mr Morton said: “I think we anticipated the recommendations they were going to make and we didn’t wait for them in terms of making progress.
“We want to be in the position, and I know that we will be in the position, that, when the CQC comes back in six months, they will see things are running in a very, very professional way with high quality care at the top of the agenda.
“And actually, if they came back today, they would already see substantial improvements.”
Mr Morton emphasised the CQC report was welcomed by the trust and he agreed with the points made.
He said: “We need to reflect on the fact that, over the period of that report from January to February, we weren’t providing services to the population that they have got a right to expect.
“I’ve apologised for that in the past and I will continue to apologise.”
First published at 16:11, Monday, 16 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
I was in fgh 4 years ago with serious stumoch trouble I was feed by tube,but I had to have a sip of water every hour to stop dehidration.I could not move because of my condition a casual nurse asked if I wanted anything I said I was due my sip of water. She came back with cup with a block of ice in it and said the nurse in charge said tell him that will keep you quiet.
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Really?
Did he not do a little bit of research such as reading this paper, for example, before accepting the 'interim post' which might have given him a clue all wasn't 'tickety-boo' at FGH?
Posted by Tony on 17 July 2012 at 17:02