Stafford nurse 'left in job for two years despite blunders'
A nurse at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital was allowed to continue working for two years even though a patient died after she left her in the care of a student nurse, a hearing was told.
"Reni Biju told fellow nurses that the patient, who had chronic heart problems, was fine as she took a break.
But when a colleague checked on the critically ill woman, referred to as patient A, she was not breathing and died shortly afterwards.
Despite the blunder Biju was allowed to carry on working on the same ward for another two years before being picked up for a string of other alleged mistakes.Biju was supposed to be observing patient A hourly but left responsibility to a student nurse during a night shift in July 2008, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.
Amanda Hamilton, for the NMC, said the woman’s condition was not stable and the nursing staff were asked to carry out hourly modified early warning system observations, known as MEWS.
She said: “This patient was allocated to Ms Biju, but she delegated the task of observations to a student nurse.
“Ms Biju went on her break at 3am, and reported to Staff Nurse Morris that there were no issues with the patient.
“But when Staff Nurse Morris went to check on patient A, she was unresponsive.”
Efforts were made to revive patient A, but she died shortly afterwards.
Ms Hamilton continued: “'MEWS had not been completed since 1.25am, and it is clear that shortly before that time her respiration had accelerated and her oxygen saturation was unstable.
“Observations had not been done and Staff Nurse Morris had not been alerted to any deterioration in patient A's condition.”
Ms Hamilton said there were signs that patient A's health was failing at 10pm the previous night, but the alarm was not raised.
Between 400 and 1,200 patients are thought to have died due to substandard care at the two hospitals run by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust from 2005 to 2008.
Robert Francis QC, who has just chaired a public inquiry into failings there, is expected to hand his report to Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, at the end of the month.
Biju, who has admitted failing to monitor Patient A after 1.25am, was allowed to keep her job but ran into difficulties again on a night shift on June 2, 2010, it is alleged.
Patient B was transferred to the nurse’s ward after suffering a stroke, and soon started to develop breathing problems.
Ms Hamilton said another staff nurse, Sarah Benn, had to “bypass Ms Biju” and speak to another colleague to get assistance for the patient.
“Ms Biju appeared to be more concerned that the patient had not passed urine, so she was not getting her priorities in the right order,” she said.
“Patient B was confused and wanting his family. It was left to Ms Morris to increase patient B's oxygen levels and change the face mask.”
When patient B's family arrived on the ward, it is alleged Biju failed to tell them his condition was deteriorating.
Biju is also accused of ill-treating an elderly patient on June 10, 2010, when she asked for help going to the toilet.
“Patient D complained about Ms Biju, saying she pressed her patient bell but Ms Biju came to her aid and merely turned off the bell and left,” said Ms Hamilton.
“She buzzed again because she needed help to go out to the toilet.
“Ms Biju came again but didn't give any assistance, merely passing patient D her walking aid but without assisting her to the lavatory.”
Biju, who is attending the hearing in central London, denies that her fitness to continue practicing as a nurse is impaired by misconduct.
The hearing continues."
Stafford nurse left in job for two years despite blunders
This is the tip of the iceberg, between 400 and 1,200 patients between two Hospitals.
Work this out over the whole of the NHS and the figure would probably be 40,000 to 120,000.
Don't get sick, become old or poor as this country will not care for your welfare.
Unless your an IMMIGRANT.
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