PORTSTEWART, Northern Ireland — Each visit to the United Kingdom brings new horror stories about the National Health Service.
Last month, Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, issued a forensic report, commissioned by the government, which found that 14 underperforming hospitals in England had substandard care, contributing to the needless deaths of nearly 13,000 people since 2005.
Earlier this year, it was reported that a single hospital in Staffordshire recorded 1,400 "excess" deaths.
Following the July report, letters from patients and relatives of those who died flooded in to newspapers, Sky News and the BBC. Many confirmed poor treatment, if in fact they or their loved ones were able to receive timely care at all.
The lack of adequate nursing staff, cuts to elder care budgets and a rise in immigrant populations are a few of the factors that have exacerbated the problem.
One letter from Grace Nutt to the Sky News web page is typical:
"I am not surprised at the report at all. In fact the scandal has been going on for longer than the [period from] 2005 the report covers. My daughter was stillborn at Basildon Hospital in 1986.
"I was days overdue and very, very big, and in a lot of distress but was told go home and come back tomorrow; we don't have enough beds. During the night, my daughter died.
"The nurse even told me she could hear the heartbeat the following day. I told her she couldn't and it was confirmed by the doctor. The lack of care has been going on for much longer than stated.
"I am distressed that I did not at the time take the case further and sue, but it's too late now. I hope everyone in similar circumstances makes them pay. D--n you Basildon Hospital."
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