Basildon patients attend Southend A&E after recent scandal (From Echo)
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Basildon patients attend Southend A&E after recent scandal
5:00pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in Southend
Basildon patients attend Southend A&E after recent scandal
SOUTHEND Hospital has seen an increase in patients at its casualty department - partly from Basildon patients.
It follows the announcement by health watchdogs that death rates at Basildon are to be investigated by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh.
It also comes after the publication of the inquiry into mistreatment and neglect of patients at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Basildon’s Hospital trust is one of five in the country which will be investigated in light of the findings at Mid-Staffordshire.
It is likely that some patients are choosing Southend in favour of Basildon in light of its recent bad press.
Rupert Wainwright, chief operating officer at Southend, said: “We have seen A&E under more pressure, partly from Canvey Island and Basildon area patients, particularly when Basildon’s own A&E is experiencing a high demand, and we are working closely with the Commissioning Board Local Area Team for Essex to manage this extra demand.”
He said it’s too early to tell if people are choosing it instead of Basildon Hospital for outpatient appointments or surgery when booked through GPs Choose and Book scheme.
Mr Wainwright explained: “It’s too early to tell if patients want to be treated here instead, as patients would need to be referred by their GPs then choose to come to Southend, have outpatient appointments and diagnostics then finally be offered surgery, if appropriate.
“All that can take up to 18 weeks so we will know much more by the summer.”
A Basildon Hospital spokeswoman said: “We are working hard to manage our A&E attendances which are seasonally high like many other NHS Trusts . We have a close working relationship with Southend Hospital.
“Safety of our patients is paramount and we’re working to ensure they receive an excellent standard of safe care.”
Comments(9)
whataday
says...
5:25pm Thu 14 Feb 13
psorias
says...
5:29pm Thu 14 Feb 13
paulatepc wrote:Yes they were very polite when they apologised for attaching an empty oxygen tank to my father in law whilst he was having a heart attack - they ran and got another straight away - then I checked and that was empty too. They remained polite even as I angrily complained that they might kill him . Luckily he survived that A&E visit and the care on the wards seemed good. I was just grateful that I was there and noticed something was wrong.
When I had need to attend Basildon A&E recently I found them to be polite, helpful, friendly and efficient.
SpiffSpaffington1984
says...
5:39pm Thu 14 Feb 13
jolllyboy
says...
9:34pm Thu 14 Feb 13
What century are we in ?
Iw ouldn't rely on the Commissioning Board - they may send them to Bedford !. BTW rumour is Bedford Hosp may amalgamate with Milton Keynes - so losing some staff.
paulatepc
says...
4:22pm Fri 15 Feb 13
psorias wrote:.. that's bad ..no excuse for such a mistake. When things go really wrong like that you have to make a formal complaint...I hope you took the trouble to do that. That's the only way to make improvements. Its true that you often need relations around to make sure everything is OK.
paulatepc wrote:Yes they were very polite when they apologised for attaching an empty oxygen tank to my father in law whilst he was having a heart attack - they ran and got another straight away - then I checked and that was empty too. They remained polite even as I angrily complained that they might kill him . Luckily he survived that A&E visit and the care on the wards seemed good. I was just grateful that I was there and noticed something was wrong.
When I had need to attend Basildon A&E recently I found them to be polite, helpful, friendly and efficient.
Carnabackable
says...
5:18pm Fri 15 Feb 13
whataday
says...
7:26pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Carnabackable wrote:Nice if you can afford it.
Tis why your better off at BUPA, own room, own nurse, menu with wine list...
psorias
says...
8:13pm Fri 15 Feb 13
paulatepc wrote:I wanted to complain but my father in law who was in his 70's at the time did not want us to, as he was afraid it would affect the way he might be treated if he needed medical help after the complaint. Many people of his age would most likely feel the same as they come from an era that really only complained about rising prices, and just got on with things. As he had just had a heart attack we did not like to press the issue. I trained as a nurse at Oldchurch Hospital in the days when Matrons patrolled wards and bleach was still used, and checking the dials on tanks and checking the drips as you passed by was second nature. The condensation around my father in laws mask looked wrong to me and that is why I checked the tank. I urge anyone in any hospital to check whatever they can be they patient or relative.
psorias wrote:.. that's bad ..no excuse for such a mistake. When things go really wrong like that you have to make a formal complaint...I hope you took the trouble to do that. That's the only way to make improvements. Its true that you often need relations around to make sure everything is OK.
paulatepc wrote:Yes they were very polite when they apologised for attaching an empty oxygen tank to my father in law whilst he was having a heart attack - they ran and got another straight away - then I checked and that was empty too. They remained polite even as I angrily complained that they might kill him . Luckily he survived that A&E visit and the care on the wards seemed good. I was just grateful that I was there and noticed something was wrong.
When I had need to attend Basildon A&E recently I found them to be polite, helpful, friendly and efficient.
paulatepc says...
5:13pm Thu 14 Feb 13