The Medical Negligence Blog
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Poor systems lead to medical negligence cases
Poor systems can lead to instances of medical negligence cases. With the NHS still in the midst of funding problems, they’re being left behind.
Technology is great. It has helped industries to become far more efficient, and this includes the NHS. However, the continual funding “crisis” as some have labelled it is starting to cause problems. As a result of a lack of funding and investment, the NHS is getting left behind. Their systems and technology is outdated, and this is causing problems.
Ultimately, there’s a risk of medical negligence cases that arise out of the lack of up-to-date systems and tech.
Crackdown on hospital staff bullying incidents a welcome move
We welcome the move for a crackdown on hospital staff bullying incidents, as alarming figures have revealed the extent of bullying within the NHS.
At a time when NHS funding is already a problem, and the economy remains in an uncertain position because of Brexit, we need an efficient public health service. It’s therefore incredibly concerning to hear about alarming statistics over the extent of hospital staff bullying incidents that are going on.
A crackdown is now set to come into effect where hospital bosses will be held accountable – and even sacked – for failing to deal with bullying in the NHS.
Conspiracies and closing ranks in the Gosport Hospital deaths scandal
A former health minster spoke out recently over conspiracies and closing ranks in the tragic Gosport Hospital deaths scandal.
Former health minister Normal Lamb spoke about the “systematic failures” and NHS “closing ranks” over the tragedy, as well as a “conspiracy to cover this up”. He suggested that both the NHS and Whitehall had refused to face up to the reality of the tragedy which has led to potentially hundreds of premature deaths.
The evidence in the investigations has found what appear to be clear opportunities to have avoided potentially hundreds of deaths. How were these opportunities missed?
Concerns over staggering numbers of children prescribed antidepressants
There’s a real concern over the staggering numbers of children prescribed antidepressants in the UK as use of the drug continues to increase.
It’s understood that the number of children prescribed antidepressants is now at more than 70,000. Of this figure, some 2,000 are understood to be children of primary school age.
We’re already in an era where doctors are thought to be overprescribing medication. A great deal of this has been linked to funding constraints. The result is that more people are using medication when alternative treatment could help them more. On top of that, some people are becoming addicted to medication. In the case of children, what about the long-term effects of drug use as well?
Gosport Hospital scandal: an avoidable tragedy
The Gosport Hospital scandal was avoidable given the information that has come to light as part of the Gosport Independent Panel reports.
Nurses as far back as 1988 – 30 years ago – reportedly raised the alarm over drugs being prescribed to patients. The powerful diamorphine that was given to patients by Dr Jane Barton has said to have contributed toward a number of deaths.
Despite warnings being raised by staff with managers and unions, there was a failure to act. The report by the Panel concluded that Dr Barton was responsible for some 656 deaths between the 1980’s and 2001.
Is cancer patient care leading to increased suicide risk?
Issues over the quality of cancer patient care is a real issue right now. But is there a link to increased risks of suicide that’s caused by inadequate care?
A recent government study found that cancer patients can be at an increased risk of suicide. The increased risk may be as high as 20%.
It sounds feasible to link cancer patients to an increased risk of suicide given what they have to go through. But when we’re seeing more and more issues arising over inadequate cancer patient care and funding constraints, is there a link?
NHS patients denied hip and knee replacements
NHS patients are increasingly being denied hip and knee replacements as a result of funding issues, leaving people at risk of complications and mobility problems.
According to a British Medical Journal study, patients are being denied hip and knee replacements more and more, with refusals increasing by 45% when compared to the previous year.
These restrictions on procedures are a damning reflection of the continuing NHS funding problems that are only going to leave patients more vulnerable to complications and prolonged mobility problems, which in turn could see a rise in cases of negligence.
Is out-of-date medical equipment costing lives?
Concerns have been raised that out-of-date medical equipment may be costing lives as the issue of funding in the NHS continues to plague the UK.
According to data gleaned from a recent Freedom of Information request, it’s thought that there are potentially hundreds of x-ray machines being used past their use-by date, as well as hundreds of ultrasound machines that need replacing, and dozens of MRI machines and CT scanners still being used as well.
There are concerns that the vital equipment that’s needed to diagnosis and treat potentially life-threatening conditions is going to cost lives because of aging machinery.
Next generation of personalised cancer treatment on the horizon
It’s understood that the next generation of personalised cancer treatment is on the horizon after recent study results showed increased survival rates for incurable cancers.
Scientists and medical professionals have been using personalised methods to target genes for hard-to-treat tumours, and the results are said to have worked wonders.
Personalised cancer treatment is already a method used by the NHS for cancer patients, but Oncologists are now calling for cancer patients to receive this “next generation” of sequencing so they can identify the drug best suited to their individual needs as soon as possible.
The NHS deficit 2018 is reportedly double the planned deficit, which is more grim news for the struggling health services.
The combined deficit was planned to be at £460m, but it has ended up being £960m instead; almost double the deficit that was accounted for.
There remains a massive gap between the services we’re demanding and the affordability in place to provide those services. The hardworking NHS staff we rely on to provide us care when we need it simply do not have the resources to properly help us, and we find ourselves warning the government again that they must resolve the NHS funding crisis to avoid harm to patients.
Calls for inquiry into rising death rates in England and Wales
There are calls for an inquiry into rising death rates in England and Wales. According to recent research, there has been an additional 20,000 deaths at the start of 2018 that have gone without explanation.
In the midst of what many are still calling an NHS crisis over funding and staffing issues, the news of rising death rates doesn’t bode well.
The authors of the research are asking for an urgent investigation to explain why there has been a rise in death rates at the start of this year. According to the research, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious explanation for the deaths.
NHS funding boost is not enough, senior healthcare experts warn
The NHS funding boost is not enough, senior healthcare experts warn.
Some 100 senior NHS doctors and nurses have written an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, to let her know that this hugely-anticipated NHS funding boost is simply not enough.
We’ve been calling for an NHS funding boost for a long time now, and although it’s good to see that the government has finally listened to reason and accepted that the NHS is stretched beyond its means, senior healthcare professionals are downplaying the announcement on the basis that more funds are still needed.