Will clinical negligence claims be increased in Wales?
25 | 01 | 12
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have reported that NHS cuts
in Wales will have a direct impact on patient safety.
The announcement follows a warning by the
Welsh government to NHS managers about hitting their end-of-year
financial targets, despite a £50m deficit.
Nurses have made their concerns known to the
RCN and reported having to work shifts with reduced staff numbers
and a shortage of basic equipment such as bed linen.
Tina Donnelly, RCN Wales Director has
expressed concern about the pressure being put on NHS staff. An
experienced nurse has claimed that a usual shift of 30 staff has
been reduced by up to four, putting increased pressure on the
nursing team.
Stephen Webber,
Partner and Head of the top ranked
Clinical Negligence Team at Hugh James solicitors Cardiff has
expressed concern about this announcement. Stephen says, “As a
leading clinical negligence law firm in Wales we are seeing more
and more cases of clinical negligence. This announcement by the
Royal College of Nursing is deeply concerning as patient safety
should be the highest priority. Staff and equipment shortages can
only result in further mistakes and injuries which will have
life changing consequences for patients and may end up costing the
NHS more in clinical negligence compensation.”
The Welsh NHS Confederation had denied a
safety risk exists and highlighted a commitment to continued
patient safety.