Sponsored by
Computer errors that sent ambulances to pick up dead patients
AN ambulance service computer error meant crews in Leeds were sent to pick up three DEAD kidney patients.
The incident was revealed as Leeds councillors investigated transport services for renal patients.
Leeds councillors slammed Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) after hearing a catalogue of problems.
Coun Mohammed Iqbal (Lab, City and Hunslet) said: "I am not satisfied with the transport service. You seriously need to look into your operational methods."
Hundreds of kidney patients across West Yorkshire need dialysis treatment three times a week. Most are transported by YAS but a series of issues led Leeds City Council's health scrutiny board launched an enquiry.
A report by YAS to the meeting said a new computer system had caused problems and at Christmas 2007 several old bookings were accidentally reinstated.
This led to crews being sent to collect the dead patients.
Recommendations have since been introduced to stop this happening again.
Campaigner Lilian Black, of Leeds General Infirmary Kidney Patients Association (KPA), said: "It's appalling. It's bad enough to have a loved one die but for the transport to turn up must be devastating."
Ms Black told the meeting trans-port problems had worsened since a dialysis unit at LGI shut and patients transferred to Seacroft Hospital.
"We are talking about patients (who] are chronically sick," she said. "They rely on YAS picking them up promptly and not taking them round the houses.
"I have patients telling me they want to give up, not because of the dialysis but because of the transport."
Ms Black's sister Gloria, a kidney patient, told how some patients went from Headingley, to Pool-in-Wharfedale then St James's and Seacroft hospitals.
Paul Taylor, secretary of the St James's KPA and also a patient, drives himself to dialysis but added: "I dread the day when I am no longer able to take myself in."
Sarah Fatchett, operations director for the patient transport service, said: "We will put in clear responses on how we will deal with these (issues] and put in some timescales for improvement."
She said there were performance issues in the contract but they were working to resolve them. "Our contract asks us to deliver 90 per cent of patients within 30 minutes of their appointment time," she said. "This year we are running at 77 per cent.
"Currently we are achieving 90.26 per cent of patients collected within 45 minutes of finishing treatment."
There was a 12 per cent increase in the number of journeys, as well as a 26 per cent increase in the number of patients using wheelchairs.
The meeting was also told about new computer systems which linked to drivers' handheld computers and software which would plan shorter routes.
Health chiefs promised to provide councillors with extra statistics and information which they requested.
Patients' list of complaints
Being picked up too early
Being taken on long journeys to pick up other patients
Patients not picked up at all
Waiting over an hour to be collected after treatment, then enduring a long journey home
Being promised a dedicated helpline, but not given the number
A performance standard of 90 per cent to begin journey home within 45 minutes of treatment means they are waiting too long
A double amputee patient not collected three times in three weeks
Three patients from Pontefract arriving at 4.30pm and one getting half his dialysis at Seacroft and the other half at St James's
Patient picked up from home at 12.40pm for a 12.45 pm appointment, then waiting two hours to be collected afterwards
Comment
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
