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Patient-Safety-Learning

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News posted by Patient-Safety-Learning

  1. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Fresh Air NHS, Patient Safety Learning and the Safer Healthcare and Biosafety Network are calling for urgent change to the UK government’s guidelines on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which are failing to adequately protect healthcare workers against the airborne nature of the Covid 19 virus.
    In March 2020, UK PPE guidance for Covid-19 facing healthcare workers was downgraded, from requiring airborne protection for all staff, to only those in areas where aerosol generating procedures were commonly performed – mainly the ICU. To-date, approximately 1,500 UK health and care workers have died from Covid-19, with non-ICU healthcare workers experiencing far greater risk of infection than their better protected ICU colleagues. It is estimated that a further 122,000 health service workers who contracted Covid-19 are struggling with prolonged symptoms, often referred to as Long Covid.
    Commenting on this, Helen Hughes, Chief Executive of Patient Safety Learning, said: “Providing enhanced PPE to everyone working in non-ICU Covid-19 wards would offer much-needed reassurance that our leaders are committed to protecting both patients and staff from avoidable infection and the associated consequences.
    “The lack of recognition of the airborne nature of Covid-19 transmission from the UK government puts at risk the safety of healthcare staff, their loved ones and patients. There needs to be an urgent review of the PPE guidance to ensure that it is lawful, evidence-based, reflective of the airborne nature of the Covid-19 virus, and that safety is prioritised.”  
    Read full story.
    Source: Safer Healthcare and Biosafety Network, 06 July 2021
  2. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A report by MPs has said 1,000 babies die every year as a result of lessons not being learned and blame being shifted despite a number of high profile cases involving maternity scandals. 
    Jeremy Hunt who chairs the committee has said “Despite a number of high-profile incidents, improvements in maternity safety are still not happening quickly enough".
    The report also found that women from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to experience a higher rates of stillborn and neonatal deaths. 
    The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment. 
    Read full story.
    Source: The Guardian, 6 July 2021 
  3. Patient-Safety-Learning
    In a new report, Michael Marmot has found Greater Manchester had a 25% higher rate of death incidences from Covid-19 than anywhere else in England. 
    A report commissioned by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership outlines several key recommendations such as increasing Greater Manchester's budget for prevention, increasing funding and support for training, identifying the minimum income needed for healthy living and investing in routine data collection. 
    The report outlines that now is the time to take these recommendations as actions to address the inequality issues. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BMJ, 30 June 2021
  4. Patient-Safety-Learning
    In the wake of the Nottingham Hospital maternity scandal, the hospital is now trying to find 70 midwives to fill vacancies. 
    In recent years, concerns about staff shortages and patient safety has been raised, with staff even writing a letter to the trust board over their fears. 
    A spokesperson from the trust has said “We will endeavour to continue recruiting until all vacancies have been filled, and our staff will continue working tirelessly to improve services for local women and families.”
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 05 July 2021
  5. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Criminal prosecution is being considered by the NHS care watchdog over the maternity scandal at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. 
    Many babies have died in the maternity unit due to poor patient care and failings by staff. 
    Evidence is now being examined as to whether the trust committed a criminal offence by not following the proper procedures and by not being honest with parents and families about the deaths of the babies. 
    Read full story. 
    Source: The Independent, 2 July 2021
  6. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A leaked message to NHS staff on Thursday revealed Nottingham University Hospitals Trust NHS chief Tracy Taylor, admitted that the maternity ward was not a safe environment for women and babies. 
    In the message, it was revealed that 37 new members of staff have been hired in an attempt to help improve services.
    She has said: “Improving our maternity services is one of our top priorities and we know how tirelessly colleagues in maternity are working to make those improvements".
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 2 July 2021
  7. Patient-Safety-Learning
    2.45 million has been pledged by the government to improve childbirth care which is due to happen this year. 
    It has been announced that the funding is intended to help NHS maternity staff to improve the safety of the women and babies they care for.
    Maternity safety minister Nadine Dorries said "I am determined to make sure as many mums as possible can go home with healthy and happy babies in their arms".
    Read full story.
    Source: Department of Health and Social Care, 4 July 2021
  8. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Women forced to give birth alone have said 'the system has completely failed' them.
    A new report by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service found the Covid rules requiring pregnant women to attend scans and give birth alone has caused widespread distress and anxiety. 
    The research also revealed many women having to attend their appointments online felt it did not meet their requirements at all. 
    The Royal College of Psychiatrists, who released the findings, have said due to a lack of support and resources, the mental health of pregnant women and new mothers is at risk. 
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 01 July 2021
  9. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Scientists have called for the list of Covid-19 symptoms to be expanded. The call comes after scientists warned cases may be missed if the symptoms are not included on the official list. 
    However, others are warning that including too many may be confusing and result in unnecessary tests being carried out. 
    Currently, the government maintains that the list is under constant review. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 01 July 2021
  10. Patient-Safety-Learning
    England's senior doctors may take industrial action if the offer of 1% pay rise is not improved. 
    Paid and unpaid overtime may be stopped if the figure is not increased to at least 4% says the British Medical Association. The BMA have also said industrial action may impact patient clinics and attempts to shorten waiting lists if it goes ahead. 
    The Department of Health has said the government was committed to a wage rise for NHS staff, including consultants. 
    Read full story. 
    Source: BBC, 2 July 2021
  11. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A new leaked report has found almost half of hospital isolation rooms did not meet ventilation guidelines after an audit was commissioned after healthcare staff and patients were found to be infected with COVID-19. 
    The audit revealed nearly 40 per cent of hospital wards failed air filtration guidelines and though 99 percent of wards had enough outside air, problems begin to occur when it gets into the hospitals. 
    The ABC has contacted the Victorian Health Department for comment.
    Read full story.
    Source: The ABC News, 1 July 2021
  12. Patient-Safety-Learning
    An investigation by The Independent and Channel 4 has found dozens of babies have died on the maternity wards at Nottingham hospitals as a result of poor care. 
    The special report tells how families have not had their concerns properly investigated nor has the hospital attempted to learn from previous mistakes. 
    Nottingham NHS is now facing dozens of clinical negligence claims by grieving families, with the trust estimated to have already paid out £91m in damages and legal costs.  
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 30 June 2021
  13. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Analysis from leading psychiatrists found from 2020-2021 out of 47,000 women, only 3,1261 were able to get help from perinatal services. 
    Whilst it was deemed the pandemic was not the main reason women were being denied access, it was established that due to lack of investment and funding, services were unable to provide support when needed. 
    The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for funding in the next spending review.
    Read full story.
    Source: The Guardian, 1 July 2021
  14. Patient-Safety-Learning
    In an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, the government introduced a policy where pupils would be sent home to self-isolate if they came into contact with an infected person in school.
    However, the number of cases being prevented by this policy is not being monitored. It has been estimated at least 279,000 children are at home with many being asked to self isolate for 10 days. 
    Without a full set of data, it cannot be known how this current policy is affecting the rate of infections. A government spokesperson has said the health secretary and education secretary are working on getting education back to normal as soon as they can. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 01 July 2021
  15. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A study by React have estimated around 2 million people may be suffering from long Covid but scientists say the cases are going under reported. 
    Currently, there is no universal definition of long Covid and the symptoms are varying and broad. 
    To better understand the condition, the government has set up around 80 clinics and have invested £50m for research. 
    Read full story. 
    Source: BBC News, 30 June 2021
  16. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A letter signed by the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and Royal College of Midwives have called for a higher pay rise for NHS staff. 
    In their letter, they explain that currently, staff are experiencing high levels of exhaustion, and that a pay rise would help convince staff members to stay in their roles and raise morale after facing the challenges of the pandemic. 
    According to the article, the Royal College of Nursing is calling for a 12.5% pay increase for NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts. 
    Read full story.
    Source: Royal College of Nursing, 29 June 2021
  17. Patient-Safety-Learning
    New research has found the death rate in Manchester was 25% higher than the rest of England during the pandemic. 
    The report describes how Manchester is experiencing a number of avoidable health inequalities that needs to be addressed. 
    The Mayor of Manchester has said people on lower incomes are less able to control their exposure to the virus and that more needs to be done to help communities hit hardest by the pandemic. 
    Read full story. 
    Source: BBC News, 29 June 20201
  18. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Research by the BBC finds thousands of people with disabilities had been forgotten about during the pandemic, revealing most participants experienced worsening of their disability and many said their vital appointments had been cancelled. 
    The research found some reported attempting suicide due to the sudden changes, being isolated or not being able to access their care or support networks. 
    Scope, one of the UK's biggest disabilities charities have said the research conducted by the BBC confirms the government failed to support people with disabilities during the pandemic. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC, 30 June 2021
  19. Patient-Safety-Learning
    New FFP3 masks may reduce likelihood of infection rates, a new study finds. After healthcare workers used the masks when on Covid-19 wards, the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections was found to be lowered by a significant amount. 
    Since the study, Public Health England have updated its guidance which now requires NHS organisations to provide FFP3 respirators where appropriate. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BMJ, 29 June 2021
  20. Patient-Safety-Learning
    NHS staff will now be able to request flexible working arrangements from the first day in post. 
    Previously, staff had to be in service for at least 6 months before they could put in a request. It has been found a lack of work-life balance was a significant cause of why staff left the healthcare service. 
    The new rule will come into effect on 13 September 2021 and staff will be allowed to make an unlimited number of flexible working applications and submit them without justification or provide specific reasons. 
    Read full story.
    Source: Royal College of Nursing, 29 June 2021
  21. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Parents to Ollie Bibby, 27, were unable to see their dying son in UCL Hospital and describe their experience as being treated 'like criminals'. 
    Outrage has come after Matt Hancock, England's Health Secretary was caught having an affair with aide, breaking the social distancing rules. Mother, Penny Bibby, has said she is 'livid' that Mr Hancock broke the rules whilst she and her husband were unable to see their dying son. 
    UCLH have responded that they are learning from the family's experience and are confident he received the appropriate care and treatment and offer their 'sincere condolences'. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 29 June 2021
  22. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer has said the pandemic will have an impact on mental health for a considerable period to come. 
    Speaking at the Royal College of Psychiatrists international congress, The CMO acknowledged the pandemic may have caused a lot of fear and anxiety as well as affecting people's social support and finances. 
    Whilst Chris Whitty is optimistic that the end of the pandemic is in sight, he believes there will still continue to be some difficulties, now and in the future. 
    Read full article.
    Source: BMJ, 28 June 2021
  23. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Staff at Manchester's Royal Infirmary have said they are facing mounting pressures amid staff shortages and increasingly long waiting lists in A&E. 
    Doctors and nurses have said they were told a 'major incident' was declared, however, it was then reduced to an internal incident in an attempt to avoid 'bad press'. 
    A clinician has said A&E patients are now regularly waiting over 8 to 10 hours overnight due to an increasing influx of patients and a surge in children attending A&E.
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 26 June 2021
  24. Patient-Safety-Learning
    The Royal College of Nursing has updated their Healthy Workplace toolkit to include the need for nurses to stay hydrated during their shifts and to take their at-work breaks. 
    The toolkit was designed to improve health and wellbeing for nurses working in all areas of healthcare. It also includes pandemic-specific advice and an aim to improve working environments for nursing staff. 
    Read full story.
    Source: Royal College of Nursing, 21 June 2021
  25. Patient-Safety-Learning
    The family of a patient is to be paid a 6 figure sum after staff failed to realise she was malnourished and had intestinal failure, subsequently starving to death. 
    The out-of-court settlement comes after Linda Doherty, 69, was found to have died from sepsis and acute kidney injury, malnutrition, intestinal failure secondary to Crohn’s disease and ileal resection, and inadequate nutritional intake. 
    Read full story. (paywalled)
    Source: BMJ, 25 June 2021

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