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Hospital 'put children at risk' Hospital 'put children at risk'
(about 6 hours later)
Brain surgery was performed in some cases at Birmingham Children's Hospital without specialist theatre nurses, the health watchdog has revealed.Brain surgery was performed in some cases at Birmingham Children's Hospital without specialist theatre nurses, the health watchdog has revealed.
It led to a surgeon being handed the wrong instrument and the unintentional knocking of his hand, the Healthcare Commission's (HC) report showed.It led to a surgeon being handed the wrong instrument and the unintentional knocking of his hand, the Healthcare Commission's (HC) report showed.
Incidents like it prompted the HC to be "deeply concerned" about "less than optimal care" at the hospital.Incidents like it prompted the HC to be "deeply concerned" about "less than optimal care" at the hospital.
The hospital has "welcomed" the report and taken steps to improve things.The hospital has "welcomed" the report and taken steps to improve things.
In its investigation, the commission did conclude however, that there was "no evidence of any serious incidents causing harm to patients".In its investigation, the commission did conclude however, that there was "no evidence of any serious incidents causing harm to patients".
Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly Sarah-Jane Marsh, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly Sarah-Jane Marsh, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The investigation prompted BCH's chief executive Paul O'Connor to resign on 7 March.The investigation prompted BCH's chief executive Paul O'Connor to resign on 7 March.
Health secretary Alan Johnson had ordered the inquiry last year because of the claims the specialist children's hospital, of which there are only three others in England, was putting patients' safety at risk. Health secretary Alan Johnson had ordered the inquiry last year because of claims that the specialist children's hospital, of which there are only three others in England, was putting patients' safety at risk.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it was to be expected because properly trained staff had not been recruited.The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it was to be expected because properly trained staff had not been recruited.
"When Trust managers don't invest in experienced nurses, patient care suffers and that's what happened at Birmingham Children's Hospital," said Dr. Peter Carter, General Secretary of the RCN. "When Trust managers don't invest in experienced nurses, patient care suffers and that's what happened at Birmingham Children's Hospital," said Dr Peter Carter, General Secretary of the RCN.
Alan Johnson ordered the report after hospital staff raised concernsAlan Johnson ordered the report after hospital staff raised concerns
The report said it was "deeply concerning" that "serious concerns" had been raised about clinical care for several months but they were not "properly" or "rapidly" addressed.The report said it was "deeply concerning" that "serious concerns" had been raised about clinical care for several months but they were not "properly" or "rapidly" addressed.
The concerns related to: These related to:
• A shortage of bed space and lack of access to operating theatres brought about because of a dramatic increase in demand. In the first six months of 2008 BCH treated 2,000 more inpatients and performed 10,000 more outpatient assessments compared to the same period in 2007.• A shortage of bed space and lack of access to operating theatres brought about because of a dramatic increase in demand. In the first six months of 2008 BCH treated 2,000 more inpatients and performed 10,000 more outpatient assessments compared to the same period in 2007.
• A lack of interventional radiology for treatment and diagnostic purposes, such as angiograms, which staff said meant some children were being operated on unnecessarily.• A lack of interventional radiology for treatment and diagnostic purposes, such as angiograms, which staff said meant some children were being operated on unnecessarily.
• Theatre nurses who had insufficient training to assist in specialist operations.• Theatre nurses who had insufficient training to assist in specialist operations.
• An ineffective working partnership between BCH and the University Hospital Birmingham, which helps it to deliver its services and leaked the original concerns to the press. • An ineffective working partnership between BCH and the University Hospital Birmingham, which helps deliver its services and leaked the original concerns to the press.
I am now reassured that care is safe Alan Johnson, health secretaryI am now reassured that care is safe Alan Johnson, health secretary
The report said BCH had at times "not responded with sufficient urgency" to the concerns first raised in June 2008, but added "it had now begun to do so."The report said BCH had at times "not responded with sufficient urgency" to the concerns first raised in June 2008, but added "it had now begun to do so."
It made 12 recommendations to help improve the areas of concern, which BCH said it "welcomed".It made 12 recommendations to help improve the areas of concern, which BCH said it "welcomed".
In the wake of the report published earlier, Mr Johnson said: "I am now reassured that care is safe." In the wake of the report published earlier, Mr Johnson said he was now reassured that care was safe.
He said Monitor, which regulates foundation trust hospitals, would assess the situation to ensure the report's recommendations were carried out swiftly.He said Monitor, which regulates foundation trust hospitals, would assess the situation to ensure the report's recommendations were carried out swiftly.
'Victim of success''Victim of success'
Sarah-Jane Marsh, BCH interim chief executive, said: "The quality of care for our young patients is our top priority."Sarah-Jane Marsh, BCH interim chief executive, said: "The quality of care for our young patients is our top priority."
She said the hospital was a "victim" of its own success, because as its services had increased so had the demand for them.She said the hospital was a "victim" of its own success, because as its services had increased so had the demand for them.
She apologised for any distress caused by the hospital to its young patients and their families in 2008, and said the report had reinforced the hospital's improvement plans.She apologised for any distress caused by the hospital to its young patients and their families in 2008, and said the report had reinforced the hospital's improvement plans.
"Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly," she said."Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly," she said.