C-Diff

[ionnsaigh]

Dear Cheryl,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team. Your response to my request has been first class - polite and helpful. Both the time and date are fine.
Thanks again
Michael Donoghue.

[ionnsaigh]

NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE ANSWERS ON NATIONAL CHARGES FOR MEDICAL RECORDS





Q1. Are there charges relating to next of kin's request for relatives medical records?



A1. There are national charges under the Access to Medical Records Act/Data Protection Act 2.



Q2. If so, what are they for exactly, and what are the prices?



A2. If a request relates to medical information within 40 days of a patient’s last attendance only photocopying is charged at 20p per copy up to a maximum of £50.



If outwith 40 days from last attendance an additional search fee of £10 is charged.



Q3. Are there certain circumstances where these do not apply - e.g. if the relative is unable to pay/does not have a fixed disposable income?



A3. In certain instances of hardship search fees can be waived.



Q4. How long have such charges been in place?



A4. The national charges have been in place since 1991 when the Act became law.



Q5. What is the money collected from such charges used for?



A5. The charges are used to pay for photocopying, staff time searching for records and postage and packing.



Lorraine Dick

Senior Press Officer

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

0141 201 4429

[ionnsaigh]

Mike,

The harsh reality of the matter -families entrust NHS GGC with the care of loved ones.
A large number of people in their care - contracted a hospital acquired infection.
A number who caught the infection die - resulting in a huge question mark over standards and treatment.
I have no doubt of the extra expense involved - in obtaining these records - however it pails into insignificance
when juxtaposed with the funeral expenses -unnecessary foisted upon the grieving relatives.
The release of these records are in the public interest. NHS GGC should waive these charges immediately particularly in relation to the victims families.
Mick Donoghue.

[westport321]

found this article on a US paper.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... 8739.story
Ionns sounds like you are getting some ears listening, now we need some action.

[ionnsaigh]

Dear Mr Donoghue



Many thanks for your comments and suggestions. I have taken these on board and will arrange a meeting room at a hotel in Dumbarton (exact venue to be confirmed) to allow you and your family members to meet with the review team. While the team will not be able to answer many of the detailed questions you have they would very much like to listen and learn from your experience. We also recognise that while it is not possible to have your whole family at one place at one time, we would like to meet representatives of your family who have been closely involved and feel best able to communicate their experience to us.



As you would prefer me to set a date and time for you and you family, I would suggest 1.15pm on Wednesday 23rd July. Let me know if this date and time suits you.



Many thanks



Best wishes



Cheryl Paris

0131 244 3457

A bit of tokenism here I'm afraid - Never mind what must be done -must be done. I wont be there they, however I'm sure they will be delighted to meet my three remaining brothers.

[ionnsaigh]

found this article on a US paper.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... 8739.story
Ionns sounds like you are getting some ears listening, now we need some action.

Thanks west, the more we all understand C-Diff the better.
Knowledge is power.

[ionnsaigh]

Apologies, I also meant to include a copy of our remit for information.



Thanks



Cheryl



The remit of the review is as follows:



Having regard to the circumstances where C.difficile either caused or contributed to the deaths of 18 patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital during 1 December 2007 to 1 June 2008, to review (a) the adequacy of the surveillance systems at the hospital during this period (b) the adequacy of infection control procedures at the hospital during this period, (c) the adequacy of current surveillance and infection control arrangements; (d) the adequacy of relevant facilities to prevent and contain C.difficile at the hospital, such as the availability of hand hygiene facilities, e) what notifications were given by the Vale of Leven hospital to the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board infection control committee and Health Protection Scotland, f) what procedures were followed for informing the Scottish Government of what action has been taken or could be taken, and to make recommendations about the procedures and systems that should be adopted at the hospital so that good infection prevention and control procedures are in place; and to report to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing by 31 July 2008.





From: Paris C (Cheryl)
Sent: 21 July 2008 11:50
To: 'mick donoghue'
Subject: RE: George Donoghue

[ionnsaigh]

Chief hits out after backlash on Vale staff

By Mike Farrell
Printer Print Article
Image related to story, see caption or article text

The Vale of Leven Hospital

Pic by: Des Kodur

STAFF at the Vale of Leven Hospital are being publicly victimised in the wake of the C-diff superbug outbreak.

A senior member of hospital management has received reports of workers being “accosted” in the street as they go about their everyday lives.

The details were revealed in an open letter to the Reporter this week by Robert Calderwood, chief operating officer at the Vale.

The letter follows a crunch meeting between senior management and staff at the underfire facility last week.

Sources told the Reporter that the situation for beleaguered staff got particularly nasty after last week’s national press coverage alleging “malpractice” at the Vale.

The coverage followed a damning report criticising conditions at the hospital.

Staff now feel they are the punch bag taking the blows meant for the health board.

Indeed, some hospital campaigners involved in the fight to save the Vale, feel that the Robert Calderwood’s defence of his staff is “too late”.

According to a hospital chaplain who is in close contact with the workers, morale among Vale staff is extremely low following the C-diff outbreak. Reverend Ian Miller told the Reporter that news of the abuse has only increased this.

He said: “Right now, the staff feel out on a limb and are taking the whip in a situation where there should be more systematic blame.

“While they really feel for the relatives of the families affected, they are also very threatened at this time.”

Jim Moohan, of Hospitalwatch, believes that the letter from Mr Calderwood is a token gesture.

Mr Moohan told the Reporter: “There is a real cheek to what Mr Calderwood is saying, and when he has said it.

“The employees required far more protection far earlier on with the C-diff outbreak — it’s far too late in this case, the damage has been done.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) said it had nothing further to add to Mr Calderwood’s letter.

If you are Vale of Leven staff member and wish to talk anonymously about how you have been affected by the C-diff outbreak please call the editorial team at the Reporter on 01389 763335.

[westport321]

bloody typical hogwash from a group of people unwilling to take the blame. IF the staff knew of these problems( which of course they did) then STOP working there, use your voice to let the public know that problems with sanitation are despicable, otherwise shut the hell up and stop whining about how your feelings are hurt.
Ok all POd now must have a walk

[ionnsaigh]

Dear Mr Donoghue



As agreed with your family members on Thursday I have asked that GG&C respond to you with answers to the questions you outlined below.



Best wishes



Cheryl

[ionnsaigh]

Cheryl Paris,

Thanks for passing on our questions to GGC. I wonder if you would possibly send me their e-mail address.
I am anxious to obtain some sort of timescale from them.
regards
Michael Donoghue.

[ionnsaigh]

Proposed letter of complaint to GGC - Any idea's anyone?.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, as a family we are anxious to draw closure, to the circumstances relating to the death of George Donoghue. In order to facilitate this request, we require a professional response, within an acceptable time scale. I would therefore wish to invoke complaint proceedings. Specifically regarding communication difficulties experienced by members of my family and GGC.
During my brother George Donoghue's stay at the royal Alexandria and the Vale of Leven, staff failed to convey important information regarding changes in condition and treatment. My family had no contact with the Doctors, charged with duty of his care.

1. Had George a key worker allocated.
2. Who where the Doctors responsible. ( Alexandria, Vale ).
3. Why where we not informed of changes.

Mr Michael Donoghue.

[ionnsaigh]

I am currently out of the office until Tuesday 29th July. My messages are not being read.
Thanks.
Cheryl

[westport321]

Ionns, I have the strange feeling that you will start to get the run around, I hope not, but if you do can you take out and pay for a half page advert of some sort in a local paper stating the disgusting conditions at this and other hospitals????

[ionnsaigh]

---- Forwarded Message ----
From: "Cheryl.Paris@scotland.gsi.gov.uk" <Cheryl.Paris@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: ionnsaigh@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Tuesday, 5 August, 2008 1:26:33 PM
Subject: Independent Review Team - C.diff, Vale of Leven Hospital

Dear Mr Donoghue

When the Independent Review Team met with your family members on 23 July I promised to send you a copy of the final report of the Independent Review. This report will be published on Thursday 7th August. In addition to the report being published, Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, would like to meet with those families who took part in the review process. This meeting will also take place on Thursday morning at 9am in Glasgow. I realise this is very short notice but if you would like to attend this meeting please let me know as soon as possible and I shall pass your details onto colleagues within the Scottish Government. This meeting will involve a number of families including those who have established a support group. This will be a private meeting with no media.

Best wishes

Cheryl Paris