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A Tribute to Mrs Julie Hatfield Foreword It is told by Mal Bowen, one of the brave men who initially worked for, and supported, NHS Exposed in its early stages. Today, he brings Julie Hatfield's story to life. Although Julie herself recently passed peacefully away, we hope that her story will raise awareness of the very real problems she experienced, and will, in some small way, help others who face those same difficulties.
For the past ten years Julie was the sole carer for her husband George. During this time she fought the local health service for the treatment her husband needed, but was never given. She appealed for help to the local CHC, the head of the local NHS trust and her MP, but received only lip service; peppered with misinformation regarding the "Culprit cover-up carousel" that is the current NHS complaint service. It was Julie's belief, confirmed by copies of her husband's medical records that he had been denied oxygen during the early part of his respiratory illness, which had led to his subsequent dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Where her husband was concerned it was a "No expense spared" policy. She even went to the trouble of purchasing a meter to check his oxygen saturations at home, to be able to determine whether to administer oxygen to him. DNR Orders During her husband's more recent admissions to hospital, DNR orders were routinely placed on him, without any consultation with Julie, who held the power of attorney over her husband. His last admission to hospital for pneumonia resulted in him being discharged eight weeks later, suffering from the exact same condition that he was admitted with! This was possibly due to him being denied the services of a respiratory consultant for the complete duration of his stay. The majority of his respiratory medication had been withdrawn and anti-psychotic drugs had been introduced, which made him hyperactive and therefore worsened his original condition. Julie was never consulted about any of the medications being administered to her husband, although she held the power of attorney. It was during this period that hospital staff made allegations that Julie had been physically abusing her husband and suggestions were also made about her own mental state. These allegations were possibly the result of Julie refusing a request by a senior doctor to give up the power of attorney and allow the clinicians to decide the best treatment for her husband. Reading the many DNR orders on his records, I can well imagine the type of treatment they had in mind. Following his discharge, Julie slowly nursed George back to health at home. Some weeks later their GP noted that the pneumonia had finally cleared up. Sadly some weeks after his visit, George died at home in Julie's arms on 8/11/03. After George's death, although grieving and under great stress, Julie continued her fight to expose the many cover-ups that had led to her husband's premature death, but was never given a satisfactory response. Legal Frustration Taking the legal route proved to be no better, as a medico-legal solicitor's practice that she appointed to fight her case, ran up a £9,000 bill and achieved absolutely nothing. Julie later discovered that a specialist GP and a specialist consultant requested to provide expert witness reports, had not been issued with vital medical records by the appointed solicitor! Following this further disappointment, Julie purchased a computer. It was her intention of publish her experiences of the failings and cover-ups of the local NHS on the NHS-Exposed website. She quickly learned the basics of the computer and was in the process of recording her experiences, including copying the medical records that confirmed her claims. Rest in Peace Sadly on the 5/2/04, after being alerted by a concerned neighbour, I entered Julie's home through a window, only to find her dead, lying on the floor beside her bed. She had just celebrated her 63rd birthday. Julie was yet another of the many secondary casualties of mistakes and subsequent cover-ups within the current NHS. Julie was a wonderful caring friend and a devoted wife to George. I hope that she has now found the peace she deserved. As for those people responsible for the unnecessary distress and anxiety she suffered, I hope that one day they will be suitably punished. Published in memory of a wonderful and caring lady called Julie Hatfield. May God be with her and her husband. May they both rest in peace. If you would like your story published on our new section inspired by Julie Hatfield, please email us on unsungheroes@nhs-exposed.com
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I
would like to pay tribute to our good friend Julie Hatfield.