Colin Garth

“During the course of the evidence I was told that when patients are discharged from the hospital with a Hickman or central line in situ, they are not furnished with any guidance booklet or sheet as to how the said line should be monitored, cleaned, flushed etc. It is clearly desirable that they should be as well informed as paessible and I therefore consider that the provision of such written advice should be considered.”

“Whilst I was satisfied that the Trust does have a clear Policy as to the provision of and use of such lines, there was clearly a lack of knowledge of this policy even amongst quite senior staff members. There should be consideration given to a proper continuous programme of information and education for ALL staff.”

“In evidence I was told that at one point the syringe driver (or the extension from it) became blocked and ceased to deliver the fluid as intended by the doctors. This is a fault which can happen in the best of all worlds. What concerned me greatly, however, was that the machine did not sound any bleep or alarm to indicate that it was faulty and having cleared the blockage, the nurse then reconnected the same machine rather than referring it for repair/replacement, There was a very clear need for”