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A FAMILY'S SHOCKING STORY OF 'CARE' IN TODAY'S NHS ...
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Walsall Manor Hospital has been officially
named and shamed as the worst hospital in Britain for mortality, a new
official report reveals it has the highest patient death rate in the
country. John Rostill the Chief Executive of the Hospital claims the
deaths are the fault of the patients themselves, he says patients
smoke and are obese. What Mr Rostill fails to mention is that his
hospital is currently inundated with an inordinate number of
complaints and legal actions from patients and their relatives, these
include continual abuse, neglect and assaults on patients by nursing
staff. Currently West Midlands Police are conducting enquiries into an
assault on an elderly patient by a nurse, the same patient was allowed
to wander off the ward on two separate occasions and was eventually
found by police two miles from the hospital. The Manor Hospital is
also being sued in the High Court by one relative as result of medical
negligence to his elderly father. Other relatives have instructed
solicitors to commence similar proceedings.
John Rostill
WALSALL MANOR HOSPITAL
LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER
Most worrying is the Walsall Manor's policy of "Rationing"
this is a system designed by the hospital to reduce their financial
expenditure and deficit, this is why they have so few doctors and
nurses. Elderly patients are the most venerable, most patients and
relatives are totally unaware of why their loved ones suddenly
deteriorates, or why they suddenly develop bedsores, they see the "Nil
by Mouth Signs" but do not realise that their elderly relatives
are being starved to death. They will not see the "DNR"orders
which are written on the patients notes, only after the death will
they realise that it means "Do Not Resuscitate".
Most patients who are neglected and starved to death will simply
slip away quietly, when that occurs the staff coldly ring the mortuary
and inform them they have another "package" those who linger
on are called "Bed Blockers" they are given a helping hand
to die by an overdose of diamorphine (heroin) or diuretics, first they
slip in to a convenient coma then respiratory depression occurs, then
death. Relatives are tricked into to believing that the dehydration of
their loved one is simply the underlying illness.
DISMISSAL
Since the horrific death rates have been published, a formal
complaint has been made to West Midlands Police against Mr Rostill to
face manslaughter charges. A call has also been made to the Secretary
of State for Health for him to be dismissed as Chief Executive.
CONTINUAL NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY
1.
Elderly mother (72) was admitted (voluntary) to Walsall
Community Health EMI unit in February 1999 suffering from
unexplained acute anxiety. During her stay, family not happy with
her treatment, condition worsening. Complaint made to senior
Psychiatrist. Still unhappy, mother discharges herself and returns
home. GP prescribed various anti depressant drugs but failed to
monitor.
Finally after deteriorating even further it was discovered
GP had over prescribed drugs. GP made aware but failed to attend.
Emergency doctor called but refused to change drugs. Formal
complaint made. Consultant Psychiatrist finally called in but
wouldn't listen to family. Conversation recorded and sent to GMC
with formal complaint. Complaint upheld. Consultant advised how to
behave in a proper manner.
Eldest son took advice from drug manufacturers and
implemented a slow reduction in drugs. Within two weeks mother
improved immeasurably, much to the resentment of GP and Consultant.
Mother made a good recovery without help from medical profession.
Following formal complaint to Walsall Community Health
Trust, mother requested her health records, Trust stalled, Trust
taken to Court by eldest son (litigant) They lost and were forced to
disclose documents and pay mother's costs. Also humiliated in local
press, Chief Executive well known by local press as a bullyboy.
2.
Father's Routine Knee Replacement
Operation July 2000
Elderly father (73) who has never suffered any mental health
problems in his entire life has routine knee operation in Walsall
Manor Hospital in July 2000. During operation his blood pressure is
allowed to fall on two occasions.
3.
Within hours of operation he is allowed to fall out of bed,
side rails left down, no supervision, he then becomes confused and
disorientated. Problems worsen during next few days. Concerns are
raised with hospital but he is still discharged home.
4.
Despite promises of after care, none are forthcoming, Elderly
mother (72) unable to cope with father's behavioural problems,
particularly at night (uncontrolled wandering).
5.
Walsall Social Services called in to help. Failed to do
anything. Legal action threatened by eldest son. Finally offer
either 2 daily visits by alleged care workers (1 hour duration x 7
days a week) or night sits for 3 days only but no daily visits. No
funds are the standard excuse.
6.
Parents GP continually called in - he pretends to be concerned,
but isn't. Situation deteriorating, father is getting worse, he is
now wandering uncontrollably, mother is becoming very depressed and
anxious, GP and Social Services still less than useless.
7.
More complaints finally motivate GP into making referral to
Consultant Psychiatrist (Dr M). Promised home visit but never turned
up, following further complaints it emerged that because of the
earlier complaint about Community Health Trust in February 1999 they
had refused to allow any of their Consultant Psychiatrists to attend
but had not told family of this. Both parents give written consent
for eldest son to act on their behalf in all matters, including
legal proceedings.
8.
Following threat of imminent legal action, GP forced into
hiring private Consultant. Consultant arrived and diagnosed father
needed to undergo numerous tests in hospital for chemical imbalance.
Mother was suffering from acute anxiety because of father's mental
health condition and needed 24 hour nursing care as well as
counselling together with review of drugs.
9.
Despite recommendation of Consultant, GP or Social Services
allowed situation to deteriorate. Finally father collapsed at home
and had to be rushed into A&E of Manor hospital. Diagnosed with
an TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack (mini stroke). (More likely
thrombosis as a result of improper post op care) Promised home visit
from so-called Rapid Deployment Stroke Team, then discharged back
home. Mother now even more depressed.
10.
Rapid deployment Team never arrived, several days later father
has a more serious attack and once again is rushed back to A&E.
Diagnosed with another TIA, hospital then attempted to discharge
back home. Sons dig in and insist on father being admitted for
observation. Standard excuse - no beds. Sons take 7 hours to
convince hospital that father should be admitted or legal action and
press involvement. Finally admitted that day.
11.
Battle continues with Walsall Social Services in providing
proper care for mother. They assess her as being able to cope
(normal SS practice is to fit assessment around the financial
restrictions) Mother left alone with no proper care or counselling.
More threats of legal cause them to rethink.
12.
Phone call received from hospital - father had gone missing and
couldn't be found. Police finally find him wandering two miles away
from hospital and close to his home. Returned back to ward - Formal
complaint made, meeting with hospital directors arranged, two hours
of whitewash produced nothing but empty promises. Legal action
promised concerning medical negligence and personal injury.
13.
Mother now so serious she is threatening suicide, sons take her
to A&E Walsall Manor and she is assessed by Psychiatric Team as
needing immediate admission to EMI unit, despite their best efforts
it was made plain that because of previous dispute she was refused.
Discharged back home in serious condition.
14.
Walsall Social Services threatened with legal action produces a
miraculous about turn and a so-called care package is put forward.
They insist that mother should go into residential care. Concerns
raised that no nursing would be available. Told that CPN (Community
Psychiatric Nurse) would regularly attend to give counselling and GP
would constantly monitor medication. Although not entirely satisfied
with residential home, it was agreed that it might be beneficial if
the other two care components were fully implemented. Mother finally
admitted to Manor Court residential home for the elderly in mid
August.
15.
Concerns now growing for father in general geriatric ward since
his appearance indicated he was being neglected. Matters raised with
staff but denied. Also concerns as to tests, treatment and prognosis
which were not forthcoming despite being promised.
16.
When attending ward to visit father it was discovered that he
had gone missing again. Staff had not seen him for hours. Police
called in. Finally found two miles away from hospital near to his
home again. Returned back to ward. Another formal complaint together
with letter before action.
17.
Concerns now increasing for mother as days had gone by and she
had not been visited by GP or CPN. Formal complaints made to GP and
Walsall Social Services - again ignored. Also concerns with regards
medication at residential home. Admitted that they had run out of a
major tranquilliser but failed to inform any one. Emergency doctor
called out and new prescription given.
18.
Father's condition now so bad that video recording were taken
in ward. Staff new of this and initially allowed it, but because of
the imminent legal action, became hostile. Was informed that I could
not take videos because of patient confidentiality. Informed them
that consent had been given to film by father and no one else in the
hospital was being recorded. In addition it was lawful to gather
material evidence for the purposes of litigation. Notice given for
hospital to disclose father's medical records, hospital totally
ignored request.
19.
Despite written complaints the GP and Walsall Social Services
continued ignoring the deteriorating condition of mother, further
written complaints made but were also ignored. Mother requested to
visit acupuncturist, this was arranged and following first session
was advised to take over the counter herbal medicine. Staff at home
asked to administer herbal medicine but refused. Stated that GP had
forbid them from doing so. Arrangements made for family to give
herbal medicine much to the annoyance of GP. Formal complaint made
to GMC concerning GP - asked that he be struck off - now under
investigation by GMC.
20.
Father visited and an injury to right shin was noticed. When
asked how it had occurred he said that a nurse had kicked him
because he couldn't get into a wheel chair fast enough for her.
Raised matter with staff and they claimed they new nothing of it.
Claimed it has just happed, yet the wound was clearly 24 hours old.
Finally they dressed the wound, another formal complaint was made to
the hospital. Hospital ignored complaint, Police informed, Police
ignored the matter. Private Prosecution now commenced in
Magistrates Court.
21.
Mother still seriously depressed, called in private Clinical
Psychologist, despite his best efforts unable to help - condition
too serious for counselling. Arrangement made to take both parents
to private Consultant Psychiatrist. Father taken from hospital ward
along with mother and taken to private hospital. Mother now
diagnosed with a serious depressive disorder due to the lack of care
and treatment by GP and Walsall Social Services. Recommended 24 hour
nursing care and a different form of medication. Father diagnosed
with a mental disorder due to effects of knee operation, recommended
EMI care.
22.
Returned parents back to residential home / hospital. New
medication commenced for mother, began to cause disorientation and
confusion, more videos taken to prove deteriorating condition.
Alleged accident now common occurrence, Despite further complaints
GP or Social Services do nothing again.
23.
More videos taken of father in hospital ward, approached by
hospital manager and told to stop video recording because of
breaching patient confidentiality. Explained that father's condition
and lack of treatment not satisfactory, material evidence was being
gathered for inevitable legal claim. Hospital sent fax next day and
stated that eldest son was banned from visiting father because of
aggressive and threatening behaviour, claimed foul language had been
used against staff. Such behaviour anticipated - all conversations
secretly tape recorded.
24.
Mother now seriously disorientated, certain staff member
causing concern as their presence produces reaction of total fear.
Abuse suspected but no hard evidence. Decision taken to "bug"
mother's room. Device secretly installed. Tapes confirm that neglect
is common, mother can be heard asking for help but being dismissed
and left to cope on her own.
Also threats of violence have been recorded, this was due to
difficulty in taking medication. Injury noticed on bridge of nose.
Staff claims that her glasses had caused it. Cut to deep for that
explanation. Consistent with cup containing drinking water being
forced into face in order to force taking of medication.
Other incidents; medication found on the floor, tape reveals
night staff had dropped them but couldn't be bothered to retrieve
them. Also mother found wandering naked in hallway. Had attempted to
wash her own hair in blackcurrant juice and had cleaned her teeth
with hair shampoo. Also found collapsed in shower and hallway. Tapes
now forwarded to Police, investigation underway.
25.
Following ban, legal action commenced, Injunction application
made to County Court. Also application to force disclosure of
medical records which were deliberately being held back.
Hospital produced false statements claiming abusive
behaviour. Produced taped evidence which discredited false
allegation. District Judge ignored evidence and accepted theirs.
application dismissed. Immediate appeal launched.
26.
Further action commenced against hospital, GP and SS to force
proper care and treatment for both parents, also force disclosure of
health records.
27.
Constant pressure forces GP SS and Residential Home to section
mother under Mental Health Act. Section performed unlawfully now
claim of false imprisonment underway. Transferred to same hospital
as father.
28.
Finally all three defendant's cave in and both parents are
transferred to EMI facilities - cost authorities in excess of £5K
(unrecoverable) also humiliated in local press.
29.
Since parents are transferred to Community Health Authority
(the same authority who persistently refused) they impose second
ban. Now unable to see either parent.
30.
Further legal action commenced to reverse ban. Also damages
Claim against hospital and Community Health Authority for breaches
of human rights.
31.
Case now serious, multi party High Court proceedings for both
parents commenced.
32.
GP finally caves in and agrees to disclose health records.
33.
Because of legal actions, Walsall Mental Health Trust harassed
mother in to abandoning son as litigation friend and hire her own
solicitor, when she refused they threatened to take her to next
court hearing. Son made successful representations to Court and
prevented mother appearing at court.
Following this defeat Trust then tells parents that their
son has sold their home and their stay at the hospital has to be
paid for.
Son then makes another formal complaint to police, attended
police station and produced evidence to senior officer, Trust &
SS now under investigation.
Because Trust are continually failing to defeat son, they
instruct their Dr M* to produce report that suggests both parents
are capable of returning home - Not accepted, both parents are still
very confused and disorientated.
* Note Dr M was the Psychiatrist that promised to visit
parents several months ago but failed to turn up due to previous
dispute.
34.
Independent assessment now required establishing care needs.
Both hospital and SS on notice that independent assessment
imperative before any transfers are undertaken.
For further details contact David
Edgar on 01902 771859
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