News and Knowledge

Infected blood scandal compensation scheme announced for victims

Compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal will be made before the end of the year, ministers have confirmed.   The announcement comes after the public inquiry into the Infected Blood Scandal concluded yesterday, which revealed the shocking extent of failures the government and NHS made. Today, government announced that victims will receive £210,000…

Infected Blood Scandal: Inquiry into ‘biggest NHS treatment disaster in history’ to publish findings 

A public inquiry into the infected blood scandal is due to publish its findings, after being dubbed the ‘biggest treatment disaster in NHS history’.   HIV and hepatitis C-infected blood was given to more than 30,000 people in blood transfusions and contaminated blood products for more than two decades. The scandal affected two groups of vulnerable people, who needed blood…

NHS Trust made a ‘number of failures’ before girl, 6, died of sepsis

An NHS trust made a ‘number of failures’ before a six-year-old girl died from sepsis after being incorrectly discharged from hospital, an inquest has heard.   Maya Siek died at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, on December 21 2022, after being sent home with antibiotics for suspected tonsillitis two days earlier. However, an…

The Birth Trauma Inquiry: ‘Women treated as an inconvenience’ on maternity wards, report finds

A parliamentary inquiry into childbirth trauma has called for an overhaul of the UK’s maternity services, after thousands of women shared their devastating experiences of giving birth.   The Birth Trauma inquiry, launched by The All-Party Parliamentary Group heard how there is inconsistent care across the UK for pregnant women during and after their labour…

More than 30 deaths linked to NHS Trust’s mental health failings

An analysis by mental health campaigners has found that more than 30 patients died over a decade, as the risks at an NHS mental health trust were not acted on following a ‘controversial redesign’.   The report carried out by Campaign to Save Mental Health Services in Norfolk and Suffolk also found that nearly 20 patients at Norfolk and Suffolk…

NHS Failures: Leeds GP Surgery placed into special measures

A GP surgery in Leeds has been placed into special measures after a routine inspection found several concerns putting patients at risk.   Manston Surgery in Cross Gates, which provides services to 8,220 patients was rated inadequate after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the facility in January. The inspection found a catalogue of errors,…

NHS ‘human error’ led to boy receiving another patient’s medical treatment

A hospital trust has issued an apology after a ‘human error’ led to a young boy being given medical treatment meant for another patient.   The issue occurred when seven-year-old Sultan Hussain, who was admitted at Bradford Royal Infirmary for a skin condition was mistakenly given oxygen and sodium meant for another patient.     …

NHS waiting list leaves 18 week wait for urgent heart care

A significant increase in delays on the NHS waiting list for heart care marks a heavy strain upon the healthcare system in recent years.   Within this month, 408,000 people diagnosed with severe heart problems are on the waiting list, a devastating increase from the 230,000 in February 2020. Over a third (39%) of NHS…

26% of people living with Parkinson’s Disease were initially misdiagnosed

Parkinson’s Awareness Week is here to highlight symptoms of the condition, as figures show that more than a quarter of people living with the condition were initially misdiagnosed.   Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative neurological condition which affects both physical and psychological health. At present, there is no cure, but treatments are available to help…

NHS failures led to death of ‘fit and healthy’ mum, coroner rules

A mother died after ‘significant failures and missed opportunities’ at the NHS hospital where she was treated, an inquest has ruled.   Tracey Farndon, 56 died just hours after visiting her local A&E department in Birmingham, after NHS staff failed to identify and escalate the signs of sepsis. This week, a coroner told the inquest…