The death of an elderly man at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness highlights a serious understaffing problem which is putting patients at risk, according to an employee.
NHS Highland was fined £180,000 last week after Colin Lloyd, 78, died following multiple falls while being treated at Raigmore.
The health board admitted a health and safety breach in relation to Mr Lloyd’s death in February 2019.
The patient was identified as having a high risk of falling and in need of one-to-one care when he was admitted to hospital after falling at home.
Despite repeated requests for additional nursing staff, Mr Lloyd died of head injuries following a number of falls on the ward.
Review identified areas for improvement
The board’s director of people and culture Fiona Hogg apologised for failures in care that led to the death.
She said an internal review following the incident identified several areas of improvement and a number of changes to systems and practice.
But a member of staff say they are not reassured by the statement and that NHS Highland should also apologise to medical staff and the public.
“NHS Highland have had far too many chances and near misses for many years now – at least the past 20 years.
“I think Fiona Hogg should be considering her position very seriously with a view to resigning.
“Having said this, the rest of the senior management team should not be let off either. They are also culpable.”
The senior employee went on: “Mr Lloyd seems to have been let down by the philosophy of ‘let’s see what we can get away with’.
“This has happened in the past with tremendous strain on the clinical staff involved, worrying that they would have deaths on their hands.
“NHS Highland have got away with it, until poor Mr Lloyd, who was in the wrong ward at the wrong time.”
The employee wishes to remain anonymous as they say they are one of the bullied NHS Highland staff.
NHS Highland has apologised to staff members affected by bullying and paid out millions of pounds in compensation.
Mr Lloyd seems to have been let down by the philosophy of ‘let’s see what we can get away with’.
NHS Highland employee
The employee added: “My interest in the case of Mr Lloyd stems from cases over the years where it was obvious the best up-to-date clinical evidence was not being utilised.
“This cost NHS Highland thousands, if not millions, of pounds. This situation continues to the present day.
“As a consumer of health services myself, I feel this situation needs exposing.”
The employee went on: “A lot of the financial and clinical issues that NHS Highland have stem from the fact that senior managers do not see the value of encouraging staff to access and use the best up-to-date clinical evidence.”
Health board sorry for failures
NHS Highland said it is “deeply sorry” for the failures identified in its care that led to Mr Lloyd’s death.
“We recognise the lasting hurt this will have caused to those who loved and cared for Mr Lloyd and we are sorry for letting them down.
“The specific failings on staffing in this case were in relation to the inability to provide the recommended additional one-to-one resource, via staff bank, following an identified falls risk.
“This wasn’t about general staffing shortages and system pressures which the NHS across Scotland has been experiencing in more recent times.”
A spokesman said following the internal review a number of changes have been made, with a strong emphasis on a clinically-led approach.
This includes clearer, more responsive processes for dealing with staff shortages and clinical concerns, volunteers providing additional support and companionship for older people and enhanced training for staff caring for people at risk of falling.
The spokesman said the health board values feedback from colleagues and patients.
It has processes to help those who wish to raise concerns, including a whistleblowing hotline and champion.
Are you interested in all the latest news and updates from Inverness? If so, why not join our new Facebook group here
Conversation