Clinical Negligence Solicitors

It has been reported that patients are left hungry, thirsty and desperate to use the toilet as a result of hospital staff failing to respond to call bells.

A poll of 77,850 inpatients conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that 18 per cent of patients wait for over five minutes for a response to their urgent calls. Meanwhile, only 13 per cent of patients received an immediate response, and some patients’ calls were ignored. Patients are being left in pain and discomfort as a result of not receiving help when they need it.

Caroline Abrahams, director for charity Age UK, highlighted the impact that the waits have on vulnerable elderly patients in particular, explaining: “Many older hospital patients need a lot of support, including help with eating and drinking, so any nurse under-staffing hits them especially hard.”

Patients are told by medical staff to ring the call bells if they need urgent help, for example to address pain, distress or an urgent visit to the lavatory. But the CQC’s study suggests that thousands of patients are left to wait amid staff shortages, with almost 40 per cent of patients polled saying there were not always enough nurses on duty.

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed medical conditions and wrongful death claims. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

If you had to wait too long at the hospital, or if you believe your doctor has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.