British hospital cause "unimaginable suffering" to patients; At least 400 deaths linked to negligence

An independent inquiry, headed by Robert Francis, QC, found that managers at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust compromised safe care because they focused on achieving government targets and cutting costs.

The report, published yesterday, says the safety of sick and dying patients was 'routinely neglected'. Others were subjected to ' inhumane treatment', 'bullying', 'abuse' and 'rudeness'.

Patients were left unwashed for weeks, without food or drink and unable to get to the lavatory. Some lay in soiled sheets that relatives had to take home to wash, others developed infections or had falls, which in some cases were fatal. Wards were left filthy with blood, discarded needles and used dressings.

Managers bullied staff to deter them from coming forward. Medics discharged patients hastily, as they feared being sacked for delaying. Attitude of some nurses “left a lot to be desired”.

Four members of a family, including a new-born baby girl, died within 18 months after blunders at the hospital.

According to the report, "unimaginable" suffering had been caused to patients and relatives. Regulators said last year that between 400 and 1,200 more patients than expected may have died at the hospital from 2005 to 2008.

The inquiry report included proposals for tough new regulations that could lead to managers at failing NHS trusts being dismissed.


Read more:

Stafford Hospital caused ‘unimaginable suffering’ - The Times
Patients 'routinely neglected' at NHS hospital where hundreds died in squalor - Daily Mail
Leading article: The real lessons of this NHS disaster - The Independent