£120,000 fineafter deathof patients
NHS Tayside has been fined £120,000 after admitting criminal responsibility for the deaths of three patients in a single ward at one of its hospitals.
The health board admitted a catalogue of failings over several years which led to the deaths at the newly opened Murray Royal Hospital in Perth.
The board was described as “chaotic” and directly to blame for system failures which led to the deaths of Jodie McNab (22), Rebecca Sangster (31), and Jacqueline Proctor (60).
Jodie’s mother Tracy Swan said: “Having learned of the health and safety failings within Moredun Ward at Murray Royal Hospital, we feel that she would have been safer at home with her family.
“We would like to see changes within the mental health service provision in Tayside, and as a family we would dearly like to think that things have changed since Jodie’s death to prevent this happening to any other family.”
Work was taking place yesterday to create a coronavirus assessment hub at Perth Royal Infirmary as the battle against the pandemic escalates.
A temporary facility will be set up at the city’s hospital on Taymount Terrace to assess individuals with symptoms of the virus who feel they are too ill to continue self-isolating and may need further medical assistance.
The radical development comes as the region faces its first full week of closures to all schools, pubs, clubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas, with many shops expected to follow.
And for many Perth and Kinross S6 pupils, last Friday became an even tougher occasion as it was their last ever day at school.
Yesterday, it was announced that 47 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Tayside.
On Monday afternoon, first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the sprawling programme which sees similar assessment facilities being adopted across the country.
She also called on shops not selling essential items to close, along with the likes of building sites and hairdressers.
Patients will be asked to contact NHS 24 on the 111
number as a first port of call to discuss their symptoms and they will then be contacted byaGPdirectlytoseewhetheranassessment may be necessary.
The assessment will not test whether the patient is positive for COVID-19, but will instead be used to check whether individuals presenting worsening symptoms may require further medical care. Following a“thorough examination”, patients could be given advice and treatment, such as a prescription or the actual medicine, or it could be a swift transfer to the hospital, if deemed necessary.
It is hoped the pop-up facility will alleviate pressure on Perth and Kinross GPs, who are currently facing an unprecedented volume of patient appointments in the face of the outbreak.
The service also aims to cover rural and remote communities as well and will also aid those who are in urgent need to additional care, but do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
Dr Jane Bruce, associate medical director of primary care at NHS Tayside, said the current plan is for patients calling to report worsening symptoms to receive a call back from their own family doctor, but warned officials are dealing with a “totally evolving situation”.
She said:“The whole purpose of this is to provide safe, efficient and effective care for patients across Scotland, and now people in Tayside, as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.
“Patients with respiratory symptoms will all be assessed in a coronavirus unit and that will free up GPs, who are very stretched at the moment, to work in their own surgeries and see everyday problems.
“It could be advice and being sent back home, it could be advice and treatment such as a prescription or the actual medicine out of hours, or it could be a seamless transfer to hospital.’’
An assessment centre has also been set up at King Cross in Dundee, with three more hubs planned in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose.