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Basildon hospital care queried as Hunt issues NHS 'special measures' Basildon hospital care queried as Hunt issues NHS 'special measures'
(2 months later)
Since her father died at the end of March Erica Radley makes sure she carries a note in her purse wherever she goes. On it the 49-year-old has written a short request, asking that, in the event of an accident, paramedics or police do not take her to Basildon hospital.Since her father died at the end of March Erica Radley makes sure she carries a note in her purse wherever she goes. On it the 49-year-old has written a short request, asking that, in the event of an accident, paramedics or police do not take her to Basildon hospital.
"I cannot stand the thought of being treated there for an emergency after what has happened to my dad – I would rather die," she said."I cannot stand the thought of being treated there for an emergency after what has happened to my dad – I would rather die," she said.
Basildon and Thurrock university hospitals NHS foundation trust was one of 11 institutions placed under special measures by the health secretary on Tuesday.Basildon and Thurrock university hospitals NHS foundation trust was one of 11 institutions placed under special measures by the health secretary on Tuesday.
Jeremy Hunt said that, following a five-month inquiry by Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of the NHS, all 11 of the institutions needed urgently to improve their level of patient care.Jeremy Hunt said that, following a five-month inquiry by Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of the NHS, all 11 of the institutions needed urgently to improve their level of patient care.
But as Hunt issued instructions to the hospitals involved, Radley, speaking from her home in Basildon, Essex, stressed that the announcements and media attention had come too late for her father, Kenneth Hall, who died of lung cancer in March aged 83.But as Hunt issued instructions to the hospitals involved, Radley, speaking from her home in Basildon, Essex, stressed that the announcements and media attention had come too late for her father, Kenneth Hall, who died of lung cancer in March aged 83.
"There was so much that went wrong I don't know where to start," she said. Radley said that though the hospital could not have saved her father's life, the level of care he had received was "disgusting"."There was so much that went wrong I don't know where to start," she said. Radley said that though the hospital could not have saved her father's life, the level of care he had received was "disgusting".
Hall was first admitted to the hospital the previous November and had a biopsy. He was discharged with the promise of the test results and a follow-up appointment within a couple of days. Radley said that neither arrived. Then, in February, her father, having lost 4st (25kg), was rushed to the hospital's A&E department. A few days later he was diagnosed with lung cancer.Hall was first admitted to the hospital the previous November and had a biopsy. He was discharged with the promise of the test results and a follow-up appointment within a couple of days. Radley said that neither arrived. Then, in February, her father, having lost 4st (25kg), was rushed to the hospital's A&E department. A few days later he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Radley claims that while in hospital the morphine dose for her father was increased without his knowledge, causing him to fall and hit his head in the night. She said that when he was discharged the hospital failed to notify any home care services, leaving him to fend for himself, and even taking him to the wrong address when they dropped him off.Radley claims that while in hospital the morphine dose for her father was increased without his knowledge, causing him to fall and hit his head in the night. She said that when he was discharged the hospital failed to notify any home care services, leaving him to fend for himself, and even taking him to the wrong address when they dropped him off.
"It makes me so angry remembering everything that went wrong," she said."It makes me so angry remembering everything that went wrong," she said.
On Tuesday the hospital issued a statement expressing its condolences to Hall's family and said it had responded in writing to a formal complaint.On Tuesday the hospital issued a statement expressing its condolences to Hall's family and said it had responded in writing to a formal complaint.
"If Mr Hall's family feel dissatisfied with any part of our investigation, we are happy to respond again or arrange a meeting with senior doctors and managers if they feel that would be helpful," the statement said."If Mr Hall's family feel dissatisfied with any part of our investigation, we are happy to respond again or arrange a meeting with senior doctors and managers if they feel that would be helpful," the statement said.
The case has now been taken up by solicitors at Leigh Day acting for the victims of the Mid-Staffordshire hospital scandal. According to the lawyer Emma Jones the case is one of 80 allegations Leigh Day is handling that relate to poor patient care at hospitals in England, 60 of which concern claims to do with Basildon.The case has now been taken up by solicitors at Leigh Day acting for the victims of the Mid-Staffordshire hospital scandal. According to the lawyer Emma Jones the case is one of 80 allegations Leigh Day is handling that relate to poor patient care at hospitals in England, 60 of which concern claims to do with Basildon.
"It is clear from the large number of people coming forward that there was a real problem with care at Basildon," said Jones. "Many of the stories of abuse and poor care we are hearing from patients and their families are frighteningly familiar.""It is clear from the large number of people coming forward that there was a real problem with care at Basildon," said Jones. "Many of the stories of abuse and poor care we are hearing from patients and their families are frighteningly familiar."
In Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre on Tuesday afternoon there were mixed views on the local hospital.In Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre on Tuesday afternoon there were mixed views on the local hospital.
"Anything bad that happens you get to hear about straight away but I know lots of people who have been treated really well there but it doesn't get talked about in the same way," said Pat O'Connor, 72, who serves tea at the hospital as a volunteer. "But it has got a bad reputation locally so it is good that these things are finally coming out.""Anything bad that happens you get to hear about straight away but I know lots of people who have been treated really well there but it doesn't get talked about in the same way," said Pat O'Connor, 72, who serves tea at the hospital as a volunteer. "But it has got a bad reputation locally so it is good that these things are finally coming out."
Tracy Elphick, 48, who had several operations at the hospital, said she had always received first-class care.Tracy Elphick, 48, who had several operations at the hospital, said she had always received first-class care.
She added: "I have been there a lot and my son was rushed in with pneumonia and the staff have always been absolutely fantastic. I am on a six-week course of treatment now and the treatment I am getting could not be better."She added: "I have been there a lot and my son was rushed in with pneumonia and the staff have always been absolutely fantastic. I am on a six-week course of treatment now and the treatment I am getting could not be better."
But as the hospital trusts and politicians argued over who was to blame and what should be done next, Radley said she was left with the memory of her father dying "without the care and respect he deserved".But as the hospital trusts and politicians argued over who was to blame and what should be done next, Radley said she was left with the memory of her father dying "without the care and respect he deserved".
She said: "I am glad this has all come out of course, but it doesn't change what he went through. He was 83 and paid his national insurance all his life. He deserved better than what he got."She said: "I am glad this has all come out of course, but it doesn't change what he went through. He was 83 and paid his national insurance all his life. He deserved better than what he got."
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