NURSE SUSPENDED OVER HOSPITAL DEATH RATES
05/08/2002
I would recommend Alexander Harris because they provide a very good service.
Stephanie, Cheshire
The Lawyer acting on behalf of the families in the cases of Beverly Allitt and Harold Shipman, speaks out. A spokesman for Alexander Harris, today said : "I am horrified to read this morning that the police are investigating a nurse after allegations of potential irregularities in a hospital ward." "Two similar cases with which I have been involved - Allitt and Shipman are being cited and the allegations I have read about today raise some very serious questions about the systems in place which allow for patients to be harmed by their carers." "I am deeply concerned that lessons are not being learnt. In the case of Beverly Allitt, the Clothier Inquiry made recommendations that involved 12 key changes in procedures. We need to ask whether these have been taken on board and implemented by the Trust in which this nurse worked? In the case of serial killer Harold Shipman we fought for a public inquiry so that we can ensure that the procedures which allowed a GP to systematically murder his patients using a large stockpile of drugs are fully explored and changed to ensure that this situation can never be allowed to happen again. Only in this way will the public be able to put their trust back into the medical profession." "Following the initial announcement of the Shipman Inquiry the Department of Health were keen to announce that they would be putting changes into place but one must question whether anything has yet happened" "From my experiences with the families involved in the Allitt and Shipman Inquiries, the families of those involved must now be going through a range of emotions from disbelief to anger at how this nurse was allowed to practice for so long before suspicions were raised. I completely empathise and strongly urge that the Government take action now to ensure a full and thorough investigation is conducted into this case and to reassure the general public that lessons have and will be learnt to prevent anything like this from happening again." "I applaud the person who alerted the Trust but we must however also remember that these are merely initial investigations and for everyone's sake I hope that the allegations are proven to be unfounded." NOTES: For further information please contact Emma Smith at Alexander Harris Solicitors, Ashley House, Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 2DW. 0161 925 5555. Ann Alexander is Managing Partner of Alexander Harris. 'A highly respected niche practice' Alexander Harris is ranked as one of the leading specialist clinical negligence firms and amongst the leading firms specialising in personal injury (Chambers / Legal 500 2002). Alexander Harris also specialise in dental negligence, pharmaceutical product liability, injury overseas, education, mental health and community care. With offices in the North West, London and the West Midlands and over 150 staff, Alexander Harris' latest news can be found on the internet at www.alexharris.co.uk
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