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 Their systems and technology is outdated, and this is causing problems.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.
HPV vaccine reduces cervical cancer
It’s understood that the HPV vaccine reduces cervical cancer, with a decrease of 86% seen in women aged between 16 to 21.
The recent government reports states that vaccinations to defend against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 16 and 18 infections is working. These infections are known to cause the majority of cervical cancer cases.
The information published over the summer in the Journal of Infectious Diseases is welcome news. The data suggest that the HPV vaccination programme will lead to significant reductions in cervical cancer cases arising in the future.
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.
Shropshire baby deaths review widened
Last year’s investigation into the tragic Shropshire baby deaths is to be widened as the number of cases has increased from 23 to over 40.
The investigation that was launched last year into the quality of care at a Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust maternity unit has been looking into a lack of staff and a lack of a learning couture to prevent incidents, with a number of the Shropshire baby deaths cases being linked to negligence.
Infant deaths, maternal deaths and brain injuries are among the problems that have been linked to poor quality of care within the Trust.
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.
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.
Patients puts off as GPs being paid to prescribe statins
Patients are being put off amidst concerns over GPs being paid to prescribe statins. The potentially life-saving medication that can lower cholesterol to avoid heart attacks and strokes is often scrutinised by patients over financial incentives GPs reportedly receive for handing them out.
There’s apparently a widely-held belief among Brits that the statins they’re given aren’t needed because of GPs being paid to prescribe statins.
Is this just a case of mistrust over GPs being paid to prescribe statins, or should patients be worried about what they’re GPs are telling them to do?
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.
The line between due diligence and medical negligence is thin
It’s fair to say that the line between due diligence and potential medical negligence is thin. We all know that the NHS is stretched, and services like GPs and A&E Departments must remain efficient and well-funded.
It’s therefore understandable that NHS campaigns nowadays sometimes try and persuade people to only use NHS services where it’s absolutely necessary. In days gone by, doctors may have frowned upon patients Googling their symptoms and jumping to irrational conclusions, but in today’s increasingly digital age, patients are actually encouraged to look online before they use NHS time.
But, the line between this is worryingly thin.
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