Rufjan Bibi
11 Feb 2015 · Coroner ME Hassell · London Inner (North)
The coroner's concerns
1. patient in need of changing without prompt assistance
“Ms [name redacted] family told me at inquest that when they came to visit Ms [name redacted], which they did daily, they often found her in need of changing (she was incontinent), and then had difficulty obtaining prompt nurse assistance. They even found her with faeces in her hair. Whilst this did not impact upon the outcome, it made me question the evidence I had been given about frequent nursing contact, in a way that I would not otherwise have done. (And of course, however busy staff are, it is not a situation”
2. private nursing services suggested for NHS patient care
“Family members were also unhappy that a nurse had told them that, if they wanted closer care for Ms [name redacted], then they could engage a nurse privately to come to the hospital to look after her. If this is seriously being suggested as the way for a patient in an NHS hospital to receive appropriate care, then it is worrying indeed for all patients. If it is not seriously being suggested, then it seems unkind and unnecessary.”
3. delay in consultant review after head injury
“Having been found at just before 2pm, Ms [name redacted] did not receive a consultant review until 7pm, and arrangements were then made for her transfer to the Royal London Hospital. During the intervening five hours, she had a Glasgow Coma Score of ten, yet no witness was able to explain the delay.”