Saw a news article on NTL home page about an MS sufferer sueing NHS for breach of human rights. According to news article the pt is unable to get in and out of bed at home without assistance. Since the NHS no lifting policy was introduced the community nurses carn't/won't lift pt in and out of bed, also 3 nurses have already been injured. Not wanting to be bed bound pt has slept in their wheelchair for a year. The judge would not issue an interim court order (thank god) to make the nurses lift pt in and out of bed because if he did and a nurse injred her back doing so the courts or NHS would be sued. Also in summing up the judge commented that he couldn't understand why there were no means/aids to help her:eek:
Did no one tell him or the pt about hoists etc! or did the pt refuse to be hoisted? as has happend to myself several times. How must those nurses feel! comment was made by lawer they care more about staff than clients welfare. I would be horrified by this case if it was me.
The lawer also stated that pt was a mere 8 1/2 stone
Specializes in midwifery, ophthalmics, general practice.
sigh and to think I spent years using the australian lift!! maybe thats why my bad is bad!! glad I am in general practice and dont have to any lifting!
The scary thing is that after learning how to use all the tools he first thing I learnt on placement was to leg and wing a pt up the bed! But that ward is just a bad example, many wards a a lot better
karenG
1,049 Posts
sigh and to think I spent years using the australian lift!! maybe thats why my bad is bad!! glad I am in general practice and dont have to any lifting!
Karen