Staff and patients 'want unsafe Lincolnshire hospital closed'

Medical Negligence Lincolnshire

NHS staff suggest a hospital should close because it is "unsafe for patients".

In a statement today, public workers union Unison claims staff and patients at Boston Pilgrim have expressed concerns about failings at the hospital.

The claims come days after 100 student nurses were withdrawn from placements by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

It also follows a critical report in June when the Care Quality Commission found the hospital to be failing in 12 out of 16 categories.

Yesterday, Government officials moved to reassure people across Lincolnshire that the hospital would be brought up to standard.

But Unison area organiser David Kirwan, who represents nursing and other public sector staff, said: "Several of our members have said it has got to a point where they believe the hospital is unsafe and should possibly even close for a major management restructure.

"Patients attending the hospital are stating to staff they believe it to be unsafe and, therefore are fearful of their own safety."

Yesterday, health secretary Andrew Lansley said he had every confidence that the issues at Boston pilgrim Hospital would be addressed.

He said: "It is very important to give people reassurance we're trying to ensure, together with the management, that they address any problems and failings there may be there," he said.

Spokesman for United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust Clare White said the trust was pleased by the reassurance.

She said: "We are pleased the Health Secretary has offered his reassurance about Pilgrim Hospital and has recognised the work that is taking place. Our new management team is now fully in place, with strong leadership throughout the hospital. We have started to see clear results from our work including our patient safety express programme.

"This enables us to measure various aspects of care and identifies where improvements are being made or where further work is needed.

"For example, the number of patients with a correct care plan in place for managing pressure ulcers increased from 45 per cent in May to 85 per cent in June.

"We are continuing the work introduced in the past few months, such as hourly care rounds to ensure we are satisfied patients are seen at least once an hour and their needs are met.

"Staff are undertaking refresher training for care planning, record-keeping and other aspects of care. We introduced dignity pledges in June to ensure patients were treated with dignity and respect at all times. We have revised shift handovers and we have strengthened our customer care team."

In a separate incident, Lincolnshire Police are investigating after a 37-year-old member of the nursing staff was arrested and questioned in relation to allegations connected to the hospital.

source: thisislincolnshire.co.uk