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Subscribe to RSSBritons were horrified by a report released on Tuesday that documented "truly dreadful" care at an English hospital, from patients left moaning in their own waste to family members forced to bring in food.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said he would press for a culture change in his country's treasured National Health Service to give patients a bigger say in their care-- and he’ll get American help to do it.
The report says patients were ignored as they pleaded for clean sheets and even water, and it says certainly thousands died from the neglect. Britons, who take huge pride in their health service, were shocked by the findings of the report.
"Many will find it difficult to believe that all this could occur in an NHS hospital," Cameron said Tuesday.
While it was just one hospital – in the central English town of Staffordshire – Cameron said he couldn’t believe the problems were restricted to a single facility.
“What happened at The Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between 2005 and 2009 was not just wrong, it was truly dreadful. Hundreds of people suffered from the most appalling neglect and mistreatment,” Cameron said.
“Calls for help to use the bathroom were ignored and patients were left lying in soiled sheeting and sitting on commodes for hours, often feeling ashamed and afraid,” reads the report, written by lawyer Robert Francis.
“Patients were left unwashed, at times for up to a month. Food and drinks were left out of the reach of patients and many were forced to rely on family members for help with feeding,” added Francis, who was appointed to investigate the hospital in 2009 after it showed a higher-than-usual rate of deaths.
Francis said it would not be possible to say just how many patients died from the neglect and poor conditions. Many British newspapers ran lurid accounts of conditions at the hospital, but Francis said he couldn't document some of them, such as reports about thirsty patients drinking from flower vases.
“The inquiry found that a chronic shortage of staff, particularly nursing staff, was largely responsible for the substandard care,” he added. “Staff who spoke out felt ignored and there is strong evidence that many were deterred from doing so through fear and bullying.”
Cameron said he would get help from an American – Dr. Donald Berwick, who was appointed President Barack Obama’s administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but who finally stepped down after Republicans in Congress refused to confirm his appointment. Many Republicans were infuriated by Berwick’s praise of Britain’s NHS.
Berwick, an expert in healthcare quality, is now at the left-leaning Center for American Progress. He has recommended changes in quality after a series of reports have shown that anywhere between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans die every year from mistakes and neglect in the U.S. healthcare system.
Britain’s National Health Service is such a source of pride that it featured prominently in opening ceremonies for last year’s Olympics. U.S. supporters of healthcare reforms have pointed to its lower costs and to reports that show Britons are healthier than Americans. Critics of Obama’s approach have expressed doubts that Britain’s system works better than the U.S. system.
“I love our NHS, I think it is a fantastic institution, a great organization, it says a great deal about our country and who we are,” Cameron said Tuesday.
The report blamed cost-cutting for many of the problems at the Staffordshire hospital. Britain’s hospitals are run by trusts, which are a type of public corporation, with outside boards.
“Problems at the Trust were exacerbated at the end of 2006/07 when it was required to make a 10 million pound ($16 million) saving,” the report reads. “The Board decided this saving could only be achieved through cutting staffing levels, which were already insufficient.”
Cameron said boards need to be held more responsible for the hospitals they oversee, and patients need a chance to speak up when something goes wrong. But he also blamed Britain’s Department of Health, nursing organizations and doctors for failing to act.
He said there were three problems in the NHS as a whole. “First, a focus on finance and figures at the expense of patient care,” he said. “Second, there was an attitude that patient care was always someone else’s problem….Third, defensiveness and complacency.”
Health experts have identified similar problems at U.S. hospitals. The 2010 Affordable Care Act will gradually change the way hospitals are paid by Medicare and other government health insurance plans, to take patient satisfaction into account. Hospitals will also be penalized if patients get sick again too quickly after they are discharged or if they acquire infections while in the hospital.
John Newland in London contributed to this story
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I have a condition that leaves me dizzy for awhile, I contacted the local hospital and was examined by a health care expert and was told by him he didn't know what was wrong with me. That's it, he hasn't tried to find out what is wrong, did not give any advice as to what to do next, so I'm just waiting for the inevitable. I really don't like the way these people work. I was told by the receptionist that there wouldn't be a charge for this non service and then got a bill for 135.00, I confronted the receptionist and she said she has taken care of it. I get home from work and find another bill from the hospital for the same visit, this time the amount was 23.00 citing that my insurance took care of the rest. I go back to the receptionist and she says it's been taken care of. I have to wonder if health care everywhere is the same, it's all about the money.
Public option with a private delivery system is the only way to go. We have a private insurance market that allows Wall Street to skim 30% for absolutely doing nothing. Before all you righties start screaming socialized medicine , I can give you ten episodes of abuse in private US hospitals. There being sued every day in court.
Besides the comparisons, where is the action? The years 2005 to 2009 were reported and now it is 2013; and now they want to come to the US for help when our representatives consider going down the same path. How many people have had to and will perish before a change occurs. Watch "Born on the Fourth of July", they showed similar situation for our Vets. Those associated to the atrocity (elected officials to managers of the NHS) should be held accountable!
This is exactly the kind of crap we have to look forward to with "DumboCare". The "low information voter", aka the "stupid vote", is getting exactly what they voted for - death.
On another note, I don't know why New England voters are upset about hurricane Sandy's aftermath and not getting any guv'mint response. They are getting exactly what they voted for - non-responsive democRAT leadership and union thugocracy.
Elections have consequences and you voted for the stupid people.
Kim Kardashian farts and the whole world knows about it. A hospital is abusing its patients and the information doesn't even reach the people who can do anything about it until it's too late. Or maybe those who could do something about it just don't care.
This article could have been about a hospital right here in the Pacific Northwest. How's THAT for news? They have sucked almost every last red cent they possibly can out of my insurance - thanks Obummer. What the hell do you suppose this hospital will do when the insurance is G O N E???????????? Maybe I'll have them call the White House...
The kicker is that attorneys won't even talk to me because #1) either they are tied up with class action lawsuits (what I refer to as "gravy trains"), or #2) "It's too complicated." WTH are attorneys for?
Good God, this has nothing to do with the fact that this is the NHS! Like the U.S. doesn't have nursing homes operating in the same way! I've seen this and worse in nursing homes and hospitals in the U.S. Bad care is bad care. In the U.S. the quality of care you get is based on how much money you have, plain and simple.
Actually, this problem with one hospital in central Britain is a result of it's controlling "trust" implementing some very capitalistic ideas like cutting costs at the expense of patients.
You're goddamned right they did. And it happens here, too. Only the most idiotic would believe that healthcare practitioners like nurses would deliberately perpetuate this type of widespread neglect on their own. Of course you always have a few lazy @!$%#s in every profession, but this is much deeper than that. It is an systematic problem with predictable results.
I am so angry after my years of working as a practitioner! My rage is so deep it literally feels like I have no feelings left anymore. I guess they call it critical burnout. And I started out with such high ideals and aspirations of making a difference. I have nothing left. My soul feels fried.
First, the trust or outside group needs to be done away with and a board of medical literates on the inside that can be held responsible, both criminally and civilly needs to be put into place at the hospitals in England.
If you notices in the article it never mentions a single person or position that is held responsible for the problems at this hospital. Crimes against a trust cannot be prosecuted which is wrong. If there is no way to bring the people forward and make them pay out of their pockets or with time behind bars for a death or bad medical treatment then the problems will continue. It is a proven fact, if you get into a individuals pocket deep enough they will listen quite well. A sad commentary for a country to allow this to happen and not have an oversight committee that watches what happens inside the health care system they are so proud of.
State of Illinois is a trillion in debt. This is the legacy your cashier in chief will leave you after he's done playing doctor. Then return to his bankrupt state, and do book tours.
Oh Christ! Anybody who has worked in a hospital or heaven forbid a NH knows this @!$%# goes on in the US and has been going on for years. I remember my first job at a corporate run nursing home. I was young and naive. I was appalled by the conditions there. I could not believe we could have such a hypocritical, poorly run system that institutionalizes neglect through constant staff shortages and cut backs. They stand there and insist that you can deliver the same quality of care when they arbitrarily double the patient load. TELL ME ANYWHERE IN MATHEMATICS WHERE THAT EQUATION MAKES SENSE! Staff already had 20 + patients to one nurse (you'd better believe it because it's true) with one na for 7 pts. But most of the time the nurses aides would invariably call in sick or just fail to show up. That tends to happen when you pay next to nothing for grueling, dirty job with few rewards. People just don't care. So what you have is one nurses aide to 11 patients who need to be fed, toileted, bathed and helped to bed.
And don't you dare even think of calling the dumbass health dept. All they do is come in and cite the poor staff for not doing this and that the PROPER WAY. They never have any intention of addressing the real problem of chronic staff shortages because that would require fundamental change, and that's not in their repertoire of skills or duties. So the staff get reprimanded and more regulations are placed which amounts to punishing the staff for something they have no control over. What that does is breed a sense of powerlessness and contempt. Not a good combination if you're a pt. There is a reason many healthcare workers turn to drugs, food and other addictions to cope. I lasted one year and almost had a goddamned nervous breakdown! And hospitals are no better. They cut staff to the bone in order to pay for their huge bonuses with little regard to the effect on pts or staff who are actually left to deal with the fallout. They can all @!$%# off! They are a bunch of lying, connving, bullying hypocrites who harass staff to shut them up. There is a special place in heaven for nurses and other practitioners who stay and do their best daily amid the disrespect and lies heaped upon them.
I remember when staff went on strike to get set ratios for staff to patients and the hurtful things hurled at us from the public. Hey, we are only trying to protect you and ourselves from a common enemy. Do you honestly believe what those corporate executives are telling you? Come on man. Use your head. Nurses don't have the power in those facilities. It's the good old boy network, and believe me they aren't going to change without a fight. I can honestly say that is the last time I'll bother speaking up for pts rights. It appears you just don't really care all that much. But then stop whining about your care because you asked for it.
Nope, it was just easier to leave the bedside and go work for a pharmaceutical company or insurance. Less stress, and you even get appreciated once in awhile beyond a paycheck. But whether you believe me or not, you have lost when one of us leaves the bedside. I was the type of person who did care and worked tirelessly to try and make a difference and fight the powers that be. Like I said I was a sweet, naive kid. Not anymore...Good bye bedside care.
Karma will bite. All of those board members and other people involve will get old and in need of care.
They are probably minorities and are entitled to preferential treatment.
The American healthcare system took years of my life and almost drove me to have a breakdown. They can go to hell for all I care. I am bitter indeed, and with good reason. Don't go spouting off your ignorant @!$%# about healthcare and its workers because you don't know @!$%#. And if you talk that @!$%# to me in person I just might go ape @!$%# on you after the hell they put healthcare practitioners through. You pts come in to the hospital whining and crying because you have to wait a few minutes. Well that's life, and when staffing is short one person can only go so fast without compromising your safety or the safety of others. But most people only care about themselves which is at the root of the problem here.
@!$%# off all of you!!!
"....patients left moaning in their own waste to family members forced to bring in food." Did none of these families complain or report the conditions? If I had to bring food or water to a family member in a hospital, I would know something was wrong. Not to mention, once entering a place that must have looked and smelled beyond awful, I'd have my relative out of there immediately!
So your 90 year old mother would carry out your 93 year old semi comatose father? Or you would ask public services for help? Who would you report this to?
I'm talking about myself getting her out of there. There has to be some authority that oversees hospitals. Whatever it takes. No one should be in such a poorly run and filthy facility.
How many of you actually work in health care????? How many of you have any idea what happens in the health care field. Yes there are issues but life expectancy is much higher here than other areas. These patients in England are the issue and helping them should be what your discussion is about. How many of you want to go and help with hand on care????????? Pay up or shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would go if I knew who to contact, anyone want to join me???
I'm trying to figure out exactly why you went to work in health care. I have run people like you out of my hospital room. As far as "pay up or shut up" I have been paying FYI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it's people like me that HAVE BEEN PAYING that pays wages for people like you. As far as I Know, no patient has asked people to join the medical profession.
I would be happy to see you and anyone else with your nasty attitude got to England, hell, or any other place that might suit you. So stuff it. Fortunately, there are plenty of nurses who not only do the job, but do it well with a smile on their face. Those nurses also don't make the patient feel like the patient is a total imposition of their precious time.
You think the wonders of cultural diversity might have a role in the systematic devaluation of human life in British hospitals? Somehow I cannot imagine the traditional Brit generally refusing adequate medical care and treatment to vulnerable British citizens, but in other nations, elements of racial and cultural animosity make such institutional practices not only likely, but probably expected to 'pay people back' for the repression that certain minorities might feel they suffer. I personally would not trust people who culturally hold a grudge against the race or ethnicity I wa born into, to provide me with critical services in a vulnerable state, would you?
Don't be fooled. It happens in America, too. I know firsthand.
Nassau University medical center is very bad too. They tried to kill me in the hospital by giving me the wrong drugs. The police have an undercover investigation.
Great example of what Obama Care is going to look like.
the real problem is people have complained for a long time..... now that its turned national now they want to say they cant believe that its been going on...the rich got richer while people died daily in the hospital
I live in the USA and the nearest hospital to my house is the Worst Hospital ever. Like your hospital in England many patients were neglected or had died after leaving due to improper medical care. I stayed at UMASS Hospital in Marlboro, MA for 3 days, had many tests. During those 3 days, not only did I hear a nurse make fun of me in the hallway, and I was roomed with a person with pneumonia (of which I am highly susceptible to, but on the third day, the doctor walked into my room and told me that I would be discharged between 3 and 4 pm that day and to excuse him as he had more Important Patients than me to tend to. He did not even want to tell me the results of the tests that were taken...I had to ask him had he not seen the herniated disks in my neck which I know are there from previous MRI's, but the problem was that my legs and feet were turning numb as was my left arm. He said he did not and walked out of the room. That was Halloween weekend 1 1/2 years ago. As a result of his NEGLIGENT DIAGNOSIS, I had my doctor refer me to a doctor from Boston and found out I needed not ONE, but TWO OPERATIONS ON MY BACK, which he performed last April and my operations were not performed at Marlboro Hospital. I wrote them a letter and informed them of their loss of not only Income from the two operations that amounted to 100,000.00 plus, as well as the Physician performing the surgery was also not a member of their Hospital or Affiliate Hospitals. I am still recouperating from my operations last year, but I am no longer numb in my legs and feet and am still able to walk. I now have a sign on my door and the walls of my apartment stating that I would rather die En-route to Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA than to Wake in Marlboro Hospital and I would not recommend that hospital to ANYONE EVER!!!!! I REFUSE TO LET MY DOCTOR MAKE REFERRALS TO ANY DOCTOR ASSOCIATED WITH MARLBORO HOSPITAL AND SHE IS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THERE. SHE AGREED THAT THEIR TREATMENT OF ME WAS WRONG AND I HAD VALID POINTS! I guess my point is to you people over in England, that there are Hospitals in the USA as bad as the hospital over in England and UMASS HOSPITAL IN MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS IS JUST AS BAD AS YOUR HOSPITAL IN ENGLAND!!!!! SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU :(
This scandal is just being used by right wingers as a stick to beat nationalised helath care with, when actually the real cause of this scandal is staff shortages. This is because of the right wing David Cameron starving the NHS of staff and privatising it.
My care and the care of all my relatives has been exceptional from the NHS, this is an isolated incident and by no means is a representation of the entire NHS.
..except this happens all the time in the USA, to people with regular insurance or the means to pay. It's a power trip more then anything.
It's a mindset, ladies and gentlemen. It's simply a mindset gone sour. During the civil war, nurses were dedicated, loving, and CHEAP. Now they're haughty, prissy and way overpaid.
I'm glad we got rid of Obamacare - O wait were screwed.