NHS ombudsman report condemns treatment of elderly patients
15 I 02 I 11
Results now released from the
health service Ombudsman report have condemned the treatment of
elderly patients in England as “failing to meet even the most basic
standards of care”.
As leading medical negligence
solicitors, at Hugh James we regularly provide specialist advice
and support to patients and their families. We know that a stay in
hospital, particularly for the elderly, can be a distressing time
for everyone involved.
The ‘Care and Compassion?’ report
is based on an in-depth review of 10 cases referred to the
ombudsman, out of 9,000 complaints made in the last year, and
reveals a failure on the part of the NHS to respond to elderly
patients with “sensitivity, compassion and professionalism”.
The case studies highlight a
catalogue of errors and oversights made by staff and reveals how
patients suffered including poor pain control, lack of dignity,
high levels of distress and severe dehydration or lack of nutrition
during care.
The report concludes that there was
a significant gulf between the principles and values of the NHS and
the reality being experienced by older patients.
Stephen Webber, a partner and head
of medical negligence at Hugh James, said “ The standard of care
being provided to the elderly people highlighted in this report is
shocking. We act for a large number of elderly clients who have
been let down by the NHS and it is essential that these people
receive justice and that investment is made in elderly care to
ensure the level of care improves drastically.
I do have concerns that in the
present economic climate there may be further cuts in funding for
elderly care which will make the chances of this poor care being
repeated much higher. In addition planned changes to remove public
funding for medical negligence cases may mean it is impossible for
the elderly victim to obtain justice. It is essential for a fair
society that this is not allowed to happen”