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Health Ombudsman brands Hope faliure as 'reprehensible'

27/ 6/2002

SALFORD Royal Hospital NHS Trust has been strongly criticised by the Ombudsman for inadequate care of two patients and apparently misleading the official inquiry.

Health Service Ombudsman Sir Michael Buckley, releasing his annual report, has described as 'reprehensible' the Trust's failure to tell the investigation about a 38 hour delay in administering antibiotics to a patient.

The findings, which come only six months after Hope was in trouble for lying about waiting list figures, could present serious concerns to the Trust's credibility in the community.

The ombudsman said: "I find it reprehensible that the Trust chose not to disclose the matter in its formal response to the Ombudsman. I criticise the Trust most strongly for this apparent attempt to mislead this Office."

One case, partially upheld by the Ombudsman, concerned a man who died following his admission to Hope Hospital in October 1998 for an operation to remove bowel cancer. The second case, in which the delay in administering IV antibiotics was a serious issue, involved a man who had been admitted with septicaemia in January 1999.

David Dalton, Chief Executive of Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust said the Trust had apologised to both complainants. He told us: "I would like to reassure people that we have learned from these shortcomings and have made a number of significant changes as a result. We now have a new, much more structured approach to the investigation of complaints."

These changes include a new administration of drugs policy, increased staff training, the introduction of modern matrons and improved case note management. And the Trust has set up a new Patient Advisory and Liaison Service to improve the advice and support it offers to patients and families.

Chris Dabbs, head of Salford Community Health Council, welcomed the measures, but warned: "People are going to have concerns about the Trust, considering the issues that came up last December. An ombudsman has the equivalent status of a High Court Judge so providing at best misleading information is very serious. The Trust will need to demonstrate that they have genuinely learned from these particular cases by meeting all the changes they said they will make."