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UK review into NHS hits out at glacial response to concerns UK report: Medical treatments caused many ‘avoidable harm’
(about 2 hours later)
LONDON — A scathing review into three scandals that have rocked Britain’s National Health Service concluded Wednesday that patients suffered avoidable harm because their concerns were ignored by a system that moved at a glacial pace. LONDON — Hundreds of women and their babies suffered “avoidable harm” because Britain’s healthcare system ignored serious concerns raised about some medical treatments, a scathing review into three National Health Service scandals found Wednesday.
The review chaired by Julia Cumberlege, a former health minister, offered a withering look into the health system’s response to complaints about three medical interventions. Patients were dismissed and overlooked when they complained about three medical interventions: pelvic mesh, which has been linked to crippling, life-changing complications including chronic pain; the anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate, which has been linked to physical malformations in many children when taken by their mothers during pregnancy; and hormone pregnancy tests such as Primodos, thought to be associated with birth defects and miscarriages.
It studied pelvic mesh, which has been linked to crippling, life-changing complications including chronic pain; the anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate, which has been linked to physical malformations; and hormone pregnancy tests such as Primodos, which is thought to be associated with birth defects and miscarriages. The review chaired by Julia Cumberlege, a former health minister, said the healthcare system had a “glacial” and “defensive” response to concerns over the treatments.
The review, called “First Do No Harm” outlined “heart-wrenching’’ stories of how the treatments led to “acute suffering, families fractured, children harmed and much else.’’ Patients then fought for decades to have their concerns heard. The report outlined “heart-wrenching″ stories of how the treatments led to “acute suffering, families fractured, children harmed and much else” in hundreds of families. Patients then fought for decades to have their concerns heard.
“We met with hundreds of affected patients and their families ... it became all too clear that those who have been affected have been dismissed, overlooked, and ignored for far too long,’’ the review said. “The issue here is not one of a single or a few rogue medical practitioners, or differences in regional practice. It is system-wide.” Cumberlege stressed that it was “truly shocking” that no one knows the true number of people affected.
The report said that hormonal pregnancy tests, which were provided in Britain from the 1950s, should have been banned from 1967 — but they were not fully withdrawn in Britain until 1978.
“Thousands of women and unborn children were exposed to this risk,” she said. “This should not have happened. The system failed.”
“The issue here is not one of a single or a few rogue medical practitioners, or differences in regional practice,” the report said. “It is system-wide.”
The two-year study heard mainly from women whose lives were catastrophically affected. It also took evidence from the NHS, private healthcare providers, regulators and professional bodies, manufacturers, and policymakers.The two-year study heard mainly from women whose lives were catastrophically affected. It also took evidence from the NHS, private healthcare providers, regulators and professional bodies, manufacturers, and policymakers.
Cumberlege acknowledged that at a time when the NHS’ response to the COVID-19 outbreak had led to praise, her report would offer uncomfortable reading. But she said the system just wasn’t good enough at spotting trends that gave rise to safety concerns.Cumberlege acknowledged that at a time when the NHS’ response to the COVID-19 outbreak had led to praise, her report would offer uncomfortable reading. But she said the system just wasn’t good enough at spotting trends that gave rise to safety concerns.
“It does not adequately recognize that patients are its raison d’etre,’’ the report said. “It has failed to listen to their concerns and when, belatedly, it has decided to act, it has too often moved glacially. ”
The report offered nine recommendations, including a fulsome government apology and the need for separate plans to meet the cost of providing additional care and support to those who have experienced avoidable harm.The report offered nine recommendations, including a fulsome government apology and the need for separate plans to meet the cost of providing additional care and support to those who have experienced avoidable harm.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.