Hospital bosses to be fined if patients get bed sores

HOSPITAL bosses will be fined £500 every time an NHS patient gets a serious bed sore at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch or the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove.

The fines would be imposed on NHS bosses in Worcestershire and across the region for patients with grade three or four pressure ulcers (the most serious kind) from December.

The aim is to drive down the number of people who suffer with the painful ulcers.

The fines will apply to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages the Alex as well as Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester and Kidderminster Hospital.

Also affected will be Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which runs the county’s five community hospitals including the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove.

The fines are being introduced by the NHS Midlands and East strategic health authority.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust reported 41 grade three and four pressure ulcers this financial year (2011/12).

It aims to reduce that number to 15 cases by December.

The health and care trust reported 24 of the most serious grade three or four pressure ulcers between July 1 last year (when the health and care trust was formed) and January 31 this year.

Sandra Brennan, director of quality at the health and care trust, said: “Although there has been a steady decrease in the number of grade two and above pressure ulcers in the last few months, we recognise that any pressure ulcer is unacceptable.

“Our aim is to eliminate avoidable pressure ulcers in all our services.”

A level one pressure ulcer is reddening to the skin while a grade four ulcer goes right the way through the skin to the muscle.

CONTACT THE PRESSURE SORE CLAIMS EXPERTS

If you or a family member / friend have suffered a pressure sore whilst under the care of a health professional, whether that be in a hospital or a care home you or they may be entitled to compensation. Here at Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors we have a specialist team dealing with pressure sore cases.

To discuss a Bed Sore Claim or any other Personal Injury or Medical Negligence claim, please contact us for a FREE initial consultation on 0151 236 5000 or 020 8209 0166 and ask to speak to Richard Malloy or Amy Bennett. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] or fill out our online contact form and we will contact you directly.