Legal Experts React After Worrying Local Reports

Steps must be taken to ensure that patient safety remains a top priority amid concerning reports related to resignations and the standard of care at Russells Hall Hospital, according to specialist lawyers.

It has been reported that around 20 nurses are believed to have left the hospital since the start of this year, while concerns have also been raised by medical staff regarding a “failure to investigate urgent patient safety” at the site.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist medical negligence team has vast experience in providing advice and support to those who have suffered injury or lost loved ones as a result of patient safety failings.

Expert Opinion

The issues raised regarding this hospital at the moment are hugely concerning and it is vital that every effort is made to get to the bottom of the problems.

“The absolute fundamental priority has to be to ensure that patient safety and care does not fall below expected standards. Sadly, through our work across the country, we have seen on numerous occasions the devastating consequences such issues can have.

“People across the local community will be very worried by the issues which have been raised by the recent reports and steps need to be taken to reassure the public that the hospital is still able to provide the right level of service.” Tom Fletcher - Partner - Head of Abuse

The concern around staff departures and the failure to investigate patient safety was reported in the Express & Star.

Speaking to the newspaper, one member of the staff outlined how nurses generally felt they were not being listened to and that staff levels had “reduced significantly, further compromising the safety” of the A&E department.

Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall, responded to such concerns by highlighting how a recruitment drive was planned and stressing that patient care and safety remained a priority.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling medical negligence cases.