1. Notes concerns expressed by Sir Bruce Keogh regarding waiting times and mortality rates within the Welsh NHS.
2. Calls upon the Welsh Government to urgently commission an independent review into Welsh hospitals with mortality rates which are higher than average.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Every day practically, we see and read a headline where things are not good in this wonderful NHS that you profess that we have. Higher than average mortality rates: yes, we are talking about somebody’s loved one losing their life as a result of failings within the health service in Wales. Yes, we do mean that some are paying the ultimate sacrifice by dying in our hospitals, and yet the Minister, the First Minister, the Welsh Government and even Labour backbenchers—the Member for Torfaen in particular—are in denial when things do go wrong.
Despite many calls by the Welsh Conservatives to hold an in-depth review to root out bad practice, procedural failure, negligence, carelessness and sometimes simple cannot-be-bothered attitudes that do exist within our health service, there is complete denial. The First Minister prefers to cite the potential costs of an inquiry—£1 million—as a deterrent. Yes, that is the same First Minister who, without even blinking, can spend £52 million on an airport.In 2013, the RCS report evidenced that 152 patients have died waiting for cardiac surgery in Cardiff or Swansea.
Be as robust, Lynne Neagle, to their families.
The prominent and distinguished MP Ann Clwyd, echoing our calls for an inquiry, pleading for the Minister to listenhaving herself been failed miserably when your own party and even her own party—[Interruption.] Your Government’s health service betrayed her and her dear husband. She likened the catastrophic failings equivalent to that of Mid Staffs. Key targets for A&E have not been met since 2009. More patients are waiting longer than nine months for their first hospital appointment. The Royal College of Surgeons says ‘the current situation represents a severe risk to patients and urgent action is required.’ Deny that, Lynne Neagle AM.
In rejecting the call for an inquiry, the Minister insisted that death rate data for Wales and England could not be compared, because each country uses different measures. Now a taskforce has been recommended. The taskforce, led by Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Chris Jones, said that patient feedback and untoward incidents needed to be considered in addition to mortality figures. As Assembly Members, we are all familiar with constituents who come to us desperate to be heard when things have gone wrong. The complaints process is a sham, often compounding the pain, the grief, the agony and the despair that many feel, and it is to us that they come to seek help and, often, closure.
I have one case currently that, by the admission of senior staff, shows a basic disregard for the individual patient’s care and her basic human rights. A large area of unexplained bruising to her thigh was reported, but no-one came back to the family with an explanation and, after over a year, the ward manager reported it as being present on the other leg. A protection of vulnerable adults meeting was set up, but the family was not allowed to attend and have never yet seen the report. The call button—yes, the call button—was placed out of reach. We have had an apology, but, nonetheless, that is disgraceful. There was non-diagnosis of C. difficile, not informed to the family, allowing family members to visit, and some of the family members were nurses working in other hospitals within the locality. Nothing was documented when the patient was in agony with mouth thrush. Two years on, my constituent wants answers, but, more importantly, she wants reassurances that no other patient will ever be treated in this way again.
Another of my constituents was anaesthetised on four separate occasions. Yes, they were put to sleep to be sent home not having had the operation. My own mother was left on a toilet in the evening, while dizzy, for over an hour, calling for help, yet was told, ‘If you call again, you’ll be left there until morning’. From that moment on, she was given pads, because they were too busy. She did not die with dignity; she died wearing a diaper, thanks to this. This seems only yesterday, but it was nine years ago. Nothing has changed. That was under a Welsh Labour Government and a UK Labour Government.
I cannot be alone here, having seen for myself just what poor, inconsistent and negligent care does exist within our health service. You would rather save face than save your own health service. Minister, I admit that you personally are not responsible for past mistakes. You have the chance, the opportunityand the resources to hold an inquiry. Let us work together, root out the bad practice recognise the mistakes, and let us one day-------------- (out of time).