I was sorry to read about the circumstances surrounding the death of Andrew Lansely’s father, particularly the lack of communication between healthcare professionals. The Health Secretary has described how Thomas Lansley, a distinguished NHS pathologist, was left in an observation bay for several days because no beds were available on a suitable ward. In the end, out of sheer frustration, the 89-year-old discharged himself.
He also highlighted a lack of coordination amongst medics, not knowing who was in charge, the direct point of contact. This is one of the most frustrating situations experienced by many families during hospital treatment, but one which I believe can be overcome. Andrew said:
“It was difficult – I’m the secretary of state for goodness sake – trying to work out, at any given moment, who was in charge. Was it the GP… or was it at that moment the oncologist, was it the palliative care consultant, was it the hospice?”
My solution is one I have recommended before – to appoint a “hospitalist”, a system used in parts of America. As I understand it, a hospitalist is a medic who cares for all the patient’s needs from the moment he enters hospital, until the moment he leaves. He is also a point of contact when the patient returns home and wants to call and check on medication or has any immediate concerns. Patients and their families often find it hard to take in important medical information and its full implication while in hospital, and it is reassuring for them to know there is one person who is aware of the full facts and, most importantly, is accessible.
The hospitalist is basically a case manager who will liaise with patients and hospital staff to ensure their needs and will follow through all the needs regarding his treatment. Their job is to ensure that there is no confusion or misunderstanding surrounding complications, such as when a patient has more than one medical problem and is seeing more than one consultant.
My fellow blogger Curmudgeon wrote about it too following one of my previous posts, and a few of the comments are familiar with the role of the hospitalist. I think it is a great idea and would certainly ensure all the vital communication links were hooked up.
How awful. The “hospitalist” does sound a good idea. I would like to extend my sympathy to Mr Lansley.
The more important issue surely (over who was in charge) is that they couldn’t find space on a ward for him. That’s probably where the confusion has arisen from.
If they can’t afford a hospital bed how can they afford a hospitalist ?
Yes. There is waste in the NHS. But it was never designed or intended to cope with the pressures put upon it – especially in the South East.
Sympathies to the Lansleys.
Hi Kevin,
I agree that this was a shocking experience for an elderly patient, and I hope Andrew Lansley is given answers about why it was allowed to happen.
My post suggests a way of improving the joined-up thinking between healthcare organisations to help families and patients during a hospital stay.
Believe it or not we used to lose whole trains in the railway system – they could be missing for weeks in the case of engineering stock. If one failed to update the records as to who’d driven them or where they’ve been stabled. I can see it happening easily with patients where the system is reliant on data inputting rather than the old system which ran on a much more personal level.
At least the railway now has an electronic tagging system. We haven’t done this with humans … yet.
The Minister for Health could do nothing to help his father? Wouldn’t happen in France…
I am extremely sorry to read about Mr Lansley’s father. Andrew Lansley said it all “I am the Health secretary””.. If he cannot get anwers then how are we meant to.
As you know I have just been into hospital .. and was there for a week .. .. very confusing to say the least.. I saw so many people .. especially surgeons .. and people walking round with clip boards. I was on the trauma ward.. and was waiting for an op to fix my broken ankle. All set for op on the Sunday .. NIL by Mouth .. come 5pm op cancelled .. then hubby had to go home and fly off for work.. MONday ..NIL by Mouth .. 6pm op cancelled .. (this is because I was on the list but more traumas came in , worse than mine ) (I lost so much weight) Tuesday NIL by Mouth .. and op Yeah .. at about 3pm .. NOt by the first or second surgeon but a third.. The only good thing was I had a few nurses .. who not only were excellent but were with me all week. I felt so sorry for them .. absolutely rushed off their feet and not much time for us.. and NOT their fault. Great idea this Hospitalist ,, but heck you would need a lot of them …
There are also people working on the wards that can only do certain things .. and if you ask them to help and they cannot they have to find someone who can …. have you ever been stuck .. with your leg upon the bed and you need the loo.. and they cannot help you.. ..
And let me tell you the food was disgusting … I was Nil by mouth for 3 days .. but could eat something when op cancelled .. not much choice .. and then the food was meant to build me up after the op!
There was an elderly lady opposite me .. and it was a good job I was stuck in bed so I could see what was going on during the day .. to tell her family who came.. This poor lady was so upset and memory not good .. she was left alone much of the time .. except when the clip board brigade came and asked her questions .. Firstly she could not understand them .. and Secondly she was confused.. didn’t want to eat etc .. It was me that told her daughters who came in what went on during the day.
So my nurses were the best .. and very caring but so hard pushed .. they also had to deal with loud mouthed drunks or volatile people.. and work on their own ,, Is that right#?? Maybe the Health Secretary can tell us.. ..