One desperate patient urinated in a bottle without any privacy curtains at Medway Maritime Hospital, according to the report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Some were left in soiled clothing and bedding for “hours”.
Other people described waiting two days or more for a bed. Some staff said they did not feel safe raising concerns, while some nurses “lived in fear of punishment from senior leaders”.
“Examples included frail patients who could not get up and take themselves to the toilet were left to soil themselves and left in soiled clothing and bedclothes for hours.
During the visit, inspectors saw “a patient passing urine into a bottle with no privacy curtains.”
“There was a lack of pillows and blankets for patients, including those located on trolleys close the ambulance entrance, and patients were left in their soiled clothing, and medications not given.”
‘Staff crying on the phone for help’
Patient feedback to inspectors included: “Corridor care, it is horrible and a disgusting level of care that is being provided.
Another said: “Elderly lady had to wait in the emergency department corridor due to lack of beds. No privacy or dignity, screen pulled round her to use bedpan, nowhere for her to wash or change clothing.”
Patients said: “They had been left sitting in their own faeces all day because there was no one available to help.”
However, senior leaders told inspectors they had completed a staffing review, and that the department was adequately staffed against the budget.
Some 15 hospital staff contacted the CQC between 31 August 2023 and 4 April last year to raise concerns about the culture of the department. Some described the culture as toxic because of the behaviours and capability of leaders.
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“Nine talked about leaders taking no action when staff raised concerns, so nothing changed.”
During the on-site assessment some staff said that when they escalated concerns about staffing and overcrowding to immediate leaders, their comments were ignored and not taken seriously.
What do hospital bosses say?
Jayne Black, chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very sorry that despite the best efforts of our hardworking staff, at the time of the last February’s inspection, the inspection team found that our care fell below the standard that everyone should expect in their time of need.
“We recognise there is much more for us to do, particularly to reduce delays for patients waiting to be admitted to a ward, so that every patient receives the high standard of care that we aspire to provide.
“Staff throughout the hospital continue to work tirelessly, together with our ambulance, community and social care partners, to reduce delays and improve care for all for patients attending our emergency department.”
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