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19/06/2012
Hospital System 'Failed' Cancer Patient, Report Finds
A woman who died in the Royal Victoria Hospital's accident and emergency department five months ago was failed by health professionals, a report found.
Although the patient suffered from cancer, A&E staff did not access her medical records on their system, or arrange for a cancer specialist to see her during her 48 hours on the ward.
Four hours before she died of a cardiac arrest, the woman left her bed to phone her sister for help.
And vital test results were delayed for ten hours, so could only be taken into account in the hour before her death.
The 52-year-old's death led to a major review of the health service and a radical overhaul of how cancer patients are treated at the Royal has been recommended.
This would include making sure staff have "immediate and ready access" to medical records, and filling nursing posts as quickly as possible to make sure the department was not understaffed.
Cancer patients are usually seen at the Belfast City Hospital's purpose-built cancer centre, but in some cases complications mean they must be seen at the Royal's A&E department.
The review also examined the death of a pensioner on an A&E trolley earlier this year, and waiting-time targets have already been altered.
(NE)
Although the patient suffered from cancer, A&E staff did not access her medical records on their system, or arrange for a cancer specialist to see her during her 48 hours on the ward.
Four hours before she died of a cardiac arrest, the woman left her bed to phone her sister for help.
And vital test results were delayed for ten hours, so could only be taken into account in the hour before her death.
The 52-year-old's death led to a major review of the health service and a radical overhaul of how cancer patients are treated at the Royal has been recommended.
This would include making sure staff have "immediate and ready access" to medical records, and filling nursing posts as quickly as possible to make sure the department was not understaffed.
Cancer patients are usually seen at the Belfast City Hospital's purpose-built cancer centre, but in some cases complications mean they must be seen at the Royal's A&E department.
The review also examined the death of a pensioner on an A&E trolley earlier this year, and waiting-time targets have already been altered.
(NE)
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