Stafford Hospital scandal: A&E nurses lied over care delays, Nursing and Midwifery Council told
TWO 'bullying' nurses at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital deliberately faked accident unit records to meet waiting time targets, a disciplinary hearing has been told.
Sharon Turner and Tracy White are both accused of falsely logging that patients were discharged earlier than they actually were to meet Government four-hour A&E treatment targets.
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SCANDAL: Stafford Hospital.
Both nurses are also said to have inappropriately transferred patients to other departments in the hospital, either because they had not yet been properly assessed or they knew there were no beds.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) heard Turner allegedly told a shocked colleague to 'lie about it' when informed they had missed the target in several emergency cases, and swore at another who told a manager about the breaches.
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It is also claimed she racially abused a junior Asian doctor by calling him 'Osama's mate' and asking if he had a bomb in his rucksack.
White is appearing before the NMC to face five misconduct charges. Turner faces six charges.
The accusations against White run from March 2006 to July 2010, while Turner's charges cover July 2007 to October 2009.
Both nurses were working in casualty during those periods.
Hannah Eales, for the NMC, said: "There were a number of matters of concern which occurred in A&E.
"There was a lot of pressure on staff to meet the four-hour target, and a failure to meet it would result in investigation from higher management, which would result in staff being reprimanded."
Whistleblower Helene Donnolly told the inquiry: "The demands by Sister White and Sister Turner would appear frequently, during almost every shift.
"Sister Turner and Sister White would often demand I or my colleagues change the discharge times to avoid a breach. They would frequently lie about discharge times, and pressurise members of staff to lie.
"They would speak nastily and swear at people who did not change the times, or would change the times themselves.
"To me, falsifying patient records seemed insane.
"I was told, in no uncertain terms, if we did not meet targets heads would roll.
"I was concerned about the terrible consequences our actions would have on patient care."
The identities of some of the complainants have not been disclosed.
But lawyer James Townsend, who is representing both nurses, described 'considerable friction' in the accident unit.
He said: "In some of the charges, the registrants are having to face allegations where they don't even know who it is claimed is making the allegations."
The hearing continues.
6 Comments
by Fatboy103
Friday, March 08 2013, 7:12PM
“@AngelofDeath - I hope with that name you're not a nurse!!! ;-) Seems I touched a nerve. You leap straight to labling me "stupid" becuase I have the temerity to challenge what I and many others believe to be a sub-standard lottery of a service. For the money we pay it should be second to none - but it's not and It's EXACTLY this sort of "you should be grateful cos its free" contempt that many in & around he NHS has for the tax-payers who fund it that get's on my wick. The NHS is awash with waste & sub-standard service, and has an overriding culture built to suit the employees and not the paying customer - which we all are. It's too big and unmanageable and should be broken up into more manageable, cost-effective chunks. Lastly, and contrary to your assertion, I don't expect to see a GP immediatley, just to be able to book to see one without all the nonesense (enagaged tones at 8.30, curt receptionists not to mention the prescription song & dance - oh I did!) - is it beyond the wit of man to book via the internet or e-mail perhaps? Your reaction is typical of those who want to close down any sort of debate on the NHS by shouting down & bullying tactics. For me, wholesale root & branch reform can't happen soon enough.”
by AngelofDeath6
Thursday, March 07 2013, 12:29PM
“@Fatboy..."The farce of trying to see a GP when it suits YOU"?? Really? One doctor who may have 3,000 patients who can call at any time for an appointment to see him, and you're annoyed because he can't fit you in during your lunch break? It is stupid people like you who reduce the morale of health care workers all over the country! Me Me Me! Why can't everyone bend over backwards for ME? If they can't help me NOW, they're useless and need disbanding and sacking and got rid of. Would you prefer the system they have in USA? Where, if you haven't got the money or health insurance, you don't get treated? People do DIE over there for want of simple antibiotics that they can't afford! I think we should all realise what a fantastic system we've got in this country, instead of making out the entire NHS is awash with lazy uncaring overpaid idiots.”
by Fatboy103
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 12:49PM
“@Moana - you have every reason to be concerned. No matter how much money we throw at the NHS it will not improve. Too big, too unweildy and and has far outgrown it's original post-war purpose of good, basic health-care for all. There's no accountability at any level and it's a complete lottery as to what treatment you get. Try falling ill at a weekend - depends who's working, off sick, hungover - and then the farce of trying to see a GP when it suits YOU. The deadly embrace of unrealistic expectation and a chronic inability to deliver as things stand will only see things worsen IMHO - and NO government of any persuasion has the guts to make the radical changes neccessary for fear of the ballot box.”
by Moanamanna
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 11:43AM
“i am becoming increasingly concerned about the ever rising numbers of reports about care in our hospitals over recent months and more. i have every respect for nurses on the whole, but morale appears to be rock bottom and very poor, almost neglectful care appears endemic if the media stories are to be believed.”
by teddyboy5
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 11:16AM
“If these nurses? are found guilty, lets hope the management have the guts to SACK both of them and make sure they never work in the health care again.
Examples need to made,so the good caring nurses ,and we have many of them will come forward and inform what they see or hear to the authorities.”
by Alberus
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:46AM
“I saw this hatchet-faced pair on telly last night. How stomach-churning to think of being "cared for" by these two. They should report to central casting at Universal Studios for lead roles in their next horror blockbuster.”