Hundreds take action over care at Russells Hall Hospital

The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, has been told to make urgent improvements in the wake of a critical Government report which found failings in staff levels and the complaints procedure.

It escaped being placed into special measures by the Government but now hundreds of patients and families are pursuing the Dudley Group for compensation using solicitors.

Patients and families today shared their stories and told of concerns about staffing levels and their treatment by surgeons.

For some the findings of the review by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh have brought back painful memories.

The review followed reports of high death rates at the 14 trusts between 2005 and 2012.

Lynn Moreton believes that her mother Annie Milford could have survived the stroke that killed her.

Mrs Milford went to the hospital's accident and emergency department after she had been complaining about a pain in her left arm.

Doctors carried out a check on the 80-year-old and said she had a blockage to her heart – she was given painkillers and then two drugs before being told to remain overnight in hospital.

That evening she slipped into a coma and at 1.30am – 12 hours after being admitted by her daughter – she died from an acute stroke.

The next day, Mrs Moreton claims to have been told by a coroner that the drugs given to her mother had caused the stroke – but no mention of the drugs are on the death certificate and no inquest was held.

Mrs Milford died on May 27, 2006.

Mrs Moreton has since called for an investigation into her mother's death, taking her campaign all the way to Prime Minister David Cameron, but so far she has had no success.

This week, following the publication of Sir Keogh's report, she is to approach a solicitor to help push her case forward for answers.

She said: "I've tried everyone and everything but no-one is interested.

"I've complained long and hard to the hospital, but still have not got the answers I am looking for.

"I want my mother's death certificate to be changed to say how she really died and those responsible to be held to account.

"Further tests should have been done to make sure she was safe taking the drug."

She added: "I think many people want an apology from the hospital trust."

Melissa Luckett was operated on for a bowel problem, Crohn's disease, on June 17 after painkillers and steroids had failed to stop her condition worsening.

She had spent four days in the hospital and her partner claimed that during her stay wards were left unstaffed for up to 45 minutes and communication was 'minimal'.

After opening up 31-year-old Miss Luckett's bowel, surgeons failed to secure the stitching and her condition progressively worsened to the point where her partner, John Humphries, claims she almost died.

Surgeons carried out a second emergency operation on June 23 after a scan revealed the bowel leak.

The mother of four then required another major operation before finally being allowed back home to Regent Road in Tividale this week after five weeks spent inside the wards.

Today, Mr Humphries, aged 29, described the family's experience as 'horrific' and said it had forced him to quit his job as a sales engineer because he was spending so much time with his partner in hospital.

He said: "We saw at first hand real clinical negligence from staff at the hospital.

"They never took her condition seriously and at first just doused her with steroids and painkillers before telling her to come back for an operation in a month.

"Only after days of her condition worsening did they bring her in for an operation, but they did it wrong and left a leak in her bowel which almost killed her.

"She knew something was wrong, but it still took ages to get them to sort it. It was only when she almost died they carried out the scan and gave her the emergency operation.

"It is has been an absolute nightmare – horrific. My confidence in the hospital has been shattered."

The report by Sir Bruce Keogh found staffing levels and communication to be inadequate.

Mr Humphries said: "I totally agree with this.

"The wards were left unattended for 45 minutes at a time, and at the weekends it was like the hospital had closed, it was difficult to get anyone.

"Then the communication was minimal. We were delighted to get out."

Gemma Peters and Liam Greenfield, from Netherton, had criticised the hospital following complications during the birth of their daughter Brook.

The newborn had suffered brain damage and died three days after she was born on July 14, 2011.

Her parents have now taken out a medical negligence case against the hospital, which claims there were 'failings in care which led to death'.

Chief executive Paula Clark said a thorough investigation had taken place and that 'lessons have been learned'.

Miss Peters, aged 26, of Lodge Crescent, claimed she was left in agony as her baby's head became stuck for more than an hour-and-a-half during the birth and by the time midwives delivered Brook, she was floppy and unresponsive.

She said the umbilical cord was knotted around her neck.

Brook was transferred to the neonatal unit where, despite the best efforts of doctors, it was found she had suffered irreversible brain damage.

The couple are being represented by lawyers Irwin Mitchell.

Eleven other trusts around the country will have special 'hit squads' to take them over.

However the Dudley Group will keep its current management who will be expected to make improvements in care.

Inspectors who looked at the Dudley Group of Hospitals as part of the Keogh Review said they found evidence that resuscitation equipment in paedaeatrics had not been checked over a bank holiday and that a 'vital' drug was not present in A&E. Concerns were also raised over an 'unacceptable' delay in the delivery of special mattresses for people suffering from pressure ulcers.

It also had 'lower than average' nurse staffing levels and a 'higher than average' use of agency nurses.

And the report also reveals that out of 170 comments from members of the public and patients made via watchdog the Care Quality Commission, 92 were negative.

The review also found a 'high percentage of complaints about clinical aspects of care'. Of 375 written complaints received by the Trust in 2011/12, 63 per cent of complaints related to clinical treatment, compared to the national average of 47 per cent.

Of 373 complaints received by the Trust in 2012/13, 79 per cent related to clinical treatment.

The hospital was criticised for its staffing levels in some wards. The report said the levels were not in line with national standards. In response, the hospital has said it has spent £1.4m on nurses in the past two years. A further 18 will be employed this year. The report also uncovered 'unacceptable' delays of 24 hours to deliver pressure mattresses, leaving patients with ulcers on 'inappropriate beds/trolleys'.

It found nursing staff needing to bid for charity funds for 'basic' equipment such as mattresses and chairs.

The hospital, which was given an action plan as a result of the report, will be revisited by inspectors in the Autumn.