Leeds hospitals at ‘significant risk’ report shows

The list of 'significant risk' factors is flagged up in the latest “Risk Register” for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and will be discussed tomorrow (Thursday) at the Trust board meeting, when numerous problem areas across patient care will be highlighted.

Campaigner Dr John Puntis, of Keep Our NHS Local, who was a consultant at Leeds General Infirmary for 30 years until recent retirement, said he was extremely concerned over the content of the latest Risk Register report.

Dr Puntis, who was secretary to the Senior Medical Staff Committee and Chairman of Leeds West Research Ethics Committee, said: “It is not dramatic to say lives are at risk, there is certainly a crisis in the NHS and with the winter season fast approaching, it is worrying news for the older population.

“It is impossible for staff to speak out but I know they are struggling. Funding goes a long way but it is not the whole story. There is a lot of waste through inefficiencies and our NHS needs a lifeline. “

He said costs dealing with administration and marketing of NHS trusts had increased adding: “It is a reflection of the chronic underfunding over the last 10 years.”

The report states that there is a risk of violence towards patients, visitors and staff due to behaviour disturbance caused by organic, mental health or other reasons, resulting in the potential for a fatality, serious harm or litigation against the Trust.

Staff shortages are also highlighted described as an “inability to recruit to all registered nurse vacancies caused by a national shortage of registered nurses resulting in a potential failure to protect patients or staff from serious harm (including death): loss of stakeholder confidence and/or material breach of CQC conditions of registration.”