News | Health


downsmail.co.uk Hospital sue threat over death


THE family of a young mother who died following an emergency caesarean operation are expected to sueMaidstone and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust.


Offham Primary School teacher Frances Cappuccini (30) died of a heart attack within hours of giving birth to her second son, Giacomo, in October 2012. Criminal charges against the


trust and against its consultant anaesthetist Dr Errol Cornish were dismissed by the Crown Court in London last month. However, the family is now free


to take civil action for damages against the trust, which they be- lieve is responsible for her death. Apre-inquest review, held in No- vember 2013 heard that liability


at cancer fight THECCGis considering settingupa specialist committee to improve the local battle against cancer after a re- port of a gap in outcomes compared with other EU countries. Some key needs already identi-


fied include more endoscopy and imaging provision and better GP education. One concern is late diagnosis due


to patients presenting late with symptoms. One change under consideration


is that nurse practitioners should be authorised to request patient ra- diology tests in addition to GPs. Cancer waiting times in the


area now exceed the standard 62- daywaits.


KCCconcern


THE GP-led NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is seeking closer consul- tation with the county council after KCC proposals for changes in funding health serv- ices such as health visitors and nicotine replacement. The CCG is concerned that


the new health visitor specifica- tion is “much narrower in scope, with some omissions.” TheCCGis seeking clarification from KCC about the specifica- tion and says “it should not be assumed the CCG would be able to fund elements omitted from the specification.”


Nurse shortage


LATEST figures show a worsening picture of nurse vacancies across the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospital trust, up from 7.6% to 10.7%, equating to 482 full- timers. There is still a reliance on agency and locum staff. Staff turnover runs at more than 10%.


30


had been admitted by the Maid- stone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.


However, Mr Justice Peter Coul-


son QC ruled that, while the trust had admitted its care fell short of expected standards, mistakes did not constitute crime. The trust made legal history


when it became the firstNHSTrust to face a charge of corporate manslaughter. But Mr Justice Coul- son dismissed the trial at the Inner London Crown Court and also the charges against Dr Cornish. Dr Nadeem Azeez, another doc-


tor involved in the case,was not on trial as he was no longer in the country. Now Mrs Cappuccini’s


family are expected to seek a civil settlement, accusing the trust of being liable for her death. A spokesman for London-based


lawyers Kingsley Napley, which is representing the Cappuccini fam- ily, said: "The family has no further comment to make at this sensitive time.” Mrs Cappuccini, pictured, suf-


fered severe bleeding and never re- gained consciousness after the operation to deliver her son. The trust was accused of failing


to check that the doctors were properly qualified.


Another look New scheme to tackle diabetes


MAJOR changes in diabetes care are planned by the CCG – a ‘key priority’ due to the predicted rise in prevalence. It says the current pathway for


care is fragmented with services provided by different organisations – hospitals, GP practices and in the community with no over-arching care planning. “Successful management of pa- tients requires a whole-system ap-


proach with support for self-care and care in the community as key elements.” It proposes a new model should


be provided by both current local secondary and primary care providers to maximise local knowl- edge; ensure access to complete pa- tient records and minimise delays; reduction in prescribed drugs; and to reduce duplication of time, tests and information.


When things go wrong...


MAIDSTONE and TunbridgeWells hospital trust reported a specimen col- lection bag had been left inside a patient undergoing surgery – and later removed back in the theatre.


A BABY admitted with non-accidental injuries was sent home fromhos- pital prior to receipt of results of an expert opinion. This revealed multiple fractures that could only have been sustained through excessive force. The baby and twin sibling are now in foster care and the parentswere arrested.


G4S transport


NON-emergency NHS transport will be provided in Kent and Med- way by a different operator – G4S – from July 1. Itwas given the contract after “consistently showing a great understanding for the needs of the customer.” It will take over from NSL, which had difficulties in the early stages of the current contract.


New surgery?


THECCGis considering the case to move the Stockett Lane surgery in Coxheath to a purpose-built GP premises. The practice has out- grown the current building and problems are expected to escalate with the rise in population.


The have nots


RESIDENTS of West Kent live longer than in the rest of Kent. But those in deprived areas – mainly in Maidstone – can live about 13 years less than in more affluent areas.


Maidstone South February 2016


RADIOTHERAPY staff in the Kent Oncology Centre, divided between the hospitals in Maidstone and Canterbury, have won two awards. Christine Richards, head of radiotherapy services forMaidstone and Tun-


bridgeWells NHS Trust, was named South East Radiographer of the Year by the Society of Radiographers (SoR) and the radiotherapy treatment de- partment as a whole won South East Radiography Team of the Year. Christine’s award noted her tireless fight to promote the therapeutic ra-


diographer profession both at a local level and nationally, aswell as her en- thusiasm and innovative approach. One comment from a patient was included in the team’s award cita-


tion. It read: “The reception staff were friendly, helpful and professional. Radiographers – professional, extremely helpful and liaised with doctors to present a seamless service. Excellent.”


The CCG would like to see a comprehensive obesity strategy, improved early detection and greater capacity and capability in primary care. The aims include re- duction in average years of life lost due to type two diabetes from six to four within 10 years and from 15 to 12 years in type one diabetes. Diabetes patients are more


likely to have a heart attack or stroke.


Stroke fears


THE CCG is to meet the local NHS trust to discuss under-achievement in its stroke service, which “has made significant improvements re- cently but, in common with many similar services across the country, still struggles to meet all the recog- nised quality standards”.


Radiotherapy staff awards


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