Patient safety debate

Patient-care action group, Cure the NHS North-West, has called a public meeting for bereaved relatives following this week’s hard-hitting Dispatches documentary on Channel 4.

Bosses from Pennine Acute Trust have already apologised for “unacceptable staff behaviour” towards patients after the programme which featured secretly-filmed footage from the Royal Oldham Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.

The trust’s medical director Dr Ruth Jameson will be at the Candid Views public meeting, on Thursday, April 28, to answer questions on patient safety.

Dr Michael Powers QC, who will chair the event, said: “There is all the difference in the world between bad care and healthcare workers being stretched to their limits.

“The former requires professional and public censure, the latter our financial and practical support.”

Janet Watkin, leader of Cure the NHS North-West, added: “The allegations of neglect broadcast on television on Monday came as no surprise to members of our group, many of whom tell heart-breaking stories of sub-standard care at these hospitals.

“I strongly urge anyone who has had a bad experience, at any North-West hospital, or lost a loved one unexpectedly, to get in touch with me and unite behind our campaign for a true culture of care to become the norm at every hospital in this region.”

Ms Watkin said the trust had higher-than-expected death rates, highlighted by Dr Foster.

“Many of our members lost loved ones unexpectedly, either during or shortly after periods of hospitalisation. We believe many of these deaths were avoidable, that justice was not done and lessons never learned.”

The meeting, in Bury, will also be attended by Professor Sir Brian Jarman, of Imperial College, London, to answer questions on the effective use of mortality statistics in raising standards; and Sue McMillan, North-West regional director of the Care Quality Commission.

Bereaved relatives who want to attend should email janet.watkin@healthtorch.org or call 07791-427 888.