‘Lives were at risk so hospitals could meet targets’, campaigners claim
Lincolnshire NHS campaigners have said hundreds of patients could be in line for compensation because hospital targets were allegedly put above patient safety.
Lincolnshire NHS campaigners have said hundreds of patients could be in line for compensation because hospital targets were allegedly put above patient safety in the lead up to the damning Keogh review.
The campaign group Cure the NHS Lincolnshire, part of a national movement formed in the aftermath of the Mid Staffordshire scandal, is asking patients who believe they may have been treated inadequately by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) between 2009 and 2013 to come forward with their experiences.
The group claims that overcrowded hospitals were linked to over 600 more deaths than expected in this period, and that senior managers were aware of issues but failed to act.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) has said it does not recognise the claims made by the group, nor the data that is being used for its appeal, and says the story is part of an ongoing campaign by its former chairman.
‘Increased risk to patients’
Steering the Lincolnshire campaign is former non-executive ULHT chair David Bowles, who stepped down from his role in 2009 due to concerns over the safety of practice and targets.
He claims that between late 2009 to early 2013 Lincolnshire’s hospitals failed to implement an NHS ‘Code’, or ‘Capacity Review’, which would have temporarily suspended targets, at a time of high demand.
NHS England data on occupancy at ULHT compared with the country, compiled by health analyst Professor Sir Brian Jarman.
Health analyst and world expert on hospital performance Professor Sir Brian Jarman, consulted as part of the group’s research, suggested there were 677 more deaths than expected in the three years up to 2013.
In February 2013, ULHT was put in special measures following the Keogh review into care and mortality rates.
New legal advice, commissioned by the group from Bindmans Solicitors and Littleton Chamber and seen by The Lincolnite, indicates waiting time targets had been put before the safety of patients in the three years before this, a claimed breach of the NHS Code of Conduct.
The ruling in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board means patients should be told of factors which may affect their treatment including the implications of any capacity issues the hospital faces.
David Bowles said the legal advice they have received indicates “patients had been put at risk” and the NHS was left open to legal action. If existing claimants had been misled by the suppression of material facts, their claims may also be reopened.
He added: “We have already had contact from patients and whistleblowers alleging that patients suffered, not just in terms of dignity or basic care, but specific allegations of life changing consequences and even regrettably instances of mortality.
“If patients came to harm through overcrowding, they or their relatives need to know the facts behind their poor treatment and decide if they wish to take the matter further.
The campaign group highlighted the case of Ray Law, 60, who died at Lincoln County Hospital on February 12, 2010 from complications following a prostate cancer operation.
A memo by a senior doctor, which was leaked by a whistleblower three years later, revealed concerns about the incident, saying targets were putting “unsustainable pressure” on surgeons.
The inquest, in March 2014, heard from the memo Mr Law should have been put on a high dependency ward, but ended up on a general ward due to “increasing pressures”.
Despite this, his family were not told. They resolved to seek legal action against the trust. The family recently settled a ‘six figure sum’ negligence claim against the NHS, campaigners have said.
ULHT won’t accept claims
Jan Sobieraj, chief executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
ULHT disputed the claims when approached by The Lincolnite and said there is no national target on occupancy.
Trust CEO Jan Sobieraj said: “We do not recognise the claims that are being made by Cure the NHS or recognise their data from that period.
“We believe this story is part of an ongoing campaign by our former Chairman David Bowles who resigned in 2009 as he disagreed with national NHS targets.
“As we don’t recognise their data from 2009 to 2013, we can’t accept their interpretation of our mortality figures. It’s important to point out that if there were higher than expected mortality rates, this doesn’t necessarily mean that there were avoidable or unnecessary deaths. Mortality rates act like an alarm and they tell you to check things out and where to look for possible issues.
“There are many other factors which can affect a trust’s mortality rates including the quality of the data upon which the calculation is made such as level of detail within a patient’s notes.
“Cure the NHS is referring to historical data. David Bowles hasn’t worked at the trust for seven years, and therefore doesn’t have an insight into the running of the trust from July 2009 to 2013.
“This certainly does not represent the situation in our trust at present. Our HSMR (hospital standardised mortality ratio) for the last 12 months is 101 and therefore in line with what’s expected nationally (100).
“We are always striving to improve the care we provide, and look to learn from all incidents and complaints. We aspire to give excellent care to every patient.”
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The number of coronavirus patients in Greater Lincolnshire hospitals has reduced by nearly 24% in less than three weeks.
The figure had already dropped by a third on February 16 when there were 170 patients with coronavirus being treated at hospitals across the county.
In more positive news for Greater Lincolnshire, the figure has dropped further by almost a quarter as of Friday, March 5
Across the four hospital trusts in the county there are currently 130 patients, which is a reduction of the 170 figure from February 16.
United Lincolnshire NHS Trust (ULHT) had 95 COVID positive patients on February 16 and this number has now fallen to 76.
There were 44 patients with coronavirus at Lincoln County Hospital as of Friday morning with a further 29 at Boston Pilgrim. The figure has risen slightly by a further three across the two hospitals by later in the day.
As of Friday morning, the Northern Lincolnshire Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG) has 50 patients with coronavirus, a reduction of eight from the previous data.
Of these patients, 22 are at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby and 28 at Scunthorpe General Hospital. One of the 50 patients is in ICU at Scunthorpe.
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust currently has four COVID-19 positive inpatients across its community hospital sites. This is a reduction from the seven patients at the trust’s sites on February 16.
The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been boosted by the news that it currently has no patients with coronavirus within the trust, which is a reduction of 10 from the previous data.
Martin Fahy, Director of Nursing and Quality at NHS Lincolnshire CCG, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that the bed occupancy rate at ULHT’s hospitals has now improved from 100% to around 70%, which he said is an “improving position”.
Palm oil which can be fatally toxic to dogs was found on Cleethorpes beach behind Thorpe Park on Thursday.
At least three large lumps of the substance washed up on the beach.
Cleethorpes Beach safety team said on Friday, March 5 that it has since had reports of possible palm oil in different spots along the whole beach.
Palm oil can be fatally toxic to dogs. | Photo: Cleethorpes Beach Safety
The team will be out checking on Friday and removing any that it finds, so people are being advise to be extra cautious.
In a video about the discovery resort manager Scott Snowden said the palm oil can be hazardous to dogs if ingested, so they need to be kept on leads.
He added that anyone finding any palm oil must not touch it and needs to ring the resort office on 01472 323356 or contact the Facebook page.
HM Coastguard Donna Nook Rescue Team added: “It’s not unusual for anything washed up on the beach at Cleethorpes to be present further down the coast too. Please report any sightings to the coastguard.”
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “We’d ask dog owners to be vigilant and keep their pets on leads while walking along Cleethorpes beach after palm oil has washed up on the sand. While not dangerous to humans, it can be toxic to dogs.
“Palm oil can become contaminated with fuel waste and other toxins and, in solid form, can be extremely harmful to dogs and wildlife. When washed up on shorelines, the waxy white substance can lead to boulder-sized chunks emitting a smell of diesel which is attractive to animals.
“If you spot something you believe to be palm oil, please contact the beach safety team on 01472 323356 who will immediately collect and dispose of it properly.
“If owners suspect their pet has eaten the oil, they are advised to contact a vet immediately.”
Executive member Nick Worth will not be standing for re-election to Lincolnshire County Council in May.
He says the time has come to step down from his role on the authority, but will continue as a South Holland District Council member for at least another two years.
Cllr Worth, 63, has responsibility at the county council for culture and emergency services.
Serving 12 years as the Conservative member for Holbeach including a rollercoaster eight years on the executive – with among other things overseeing the controversial issue of handing over the running of libraries to communities – has been a “tough but enjoyable” period.
“Ironically, I decided not to stand again about 18 months ago, before lockdown,” said Cllr Worth. “With the portfolio for leisure, culture and fire and rescue, I was covering a large amount of the county – quite often in excess of 20,000 miles a year. I actually got tired of it.
“Since lockdown, I’ve probably done about 2,000 miles maximum.”
That reduction in travel and having more time at home in Holbeach St Marks has only served to underline the decision he made known to county council leader Martin Hill a year-and-a-half ago.
Naturally, the leader wanted one of his most hard-working and respected colleagues to continue, but Cllr Worth had made up his mind.
“I also felt that sometimes you can go on too long. It’s easy to say ‘I’ll stand for another four years’,” he added.
Cllr Worth said he has enjoyed his time on the executive, but the libraries saga – including a dogged fight with campaigners against the move and the county council twice having to go to the High Court to defend its actions – had been a particularly difficult challenge.
“I’m quite proud of what we achieved in the end,” he said, also pointing to the revamp of Lincoln Castle and new appliances for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as two other satisfying achievements.
“Locally, the big thing which I’m really pleased about – and one of the issues I came on to the council for – is getting the roundabout at Peppermint Junction. That was a real coup for me.
“And that all led on to [the establishment of] the Food Enterprise Zone. It’s had national recognition and is looking like a world-class facility.”
He added: “I shall miss being on the county council because it’s a real challenge. It’s much more strategic, looking at a bigger picture and much bigger numbers – scarily so in fact.
“One of the biggest challenges of having a cultural portfolio is constantly fighting for money after adult social care, children’s service and highways.
“Two years ago the culture portfolio was set the target of breaking even over four to five years. It was a massive challenge with savings in excess of £1.5m, but credit to the staff to get to the point where we think we can do it.”
He says he is proud to have flown the flag for the south of the county as it is a constant fight to get things away from being “Lincoln-centric”.
As for the future, his decision to leave the county council has been made easier knowing that there is someone “younger, very efficient and enthusiastic” looking to keep the seat for the Tories.
Fellow district councillor Tracey Carter has confirmed that she will be standing.
Meanwhile, Cllr Worth will complete 21 years as a Holbeach member on the district council when the elections come round again in 2023. The deputy leader will make a decision then on whether to stand for re-election again.
In the meantime he’s looking forward to spending more time with his partner Sally Horne and arranging the annual Holbeach Food Festival at Carter’s Park, which this year is scheduled for September 4 and 5.