The absence of regulation: Cause for concern

摘要

It has been reported that three healthcare assistants (HCAs) have been arrested after allegations of cruelty to elderly people. The arrests came when student nurses, undertaking their nurse education programmme at Southbank University, reported concerns that a number of patients were being abused physically and verbally on a ward at Whipps Cross University Hospital. Without the presence of those student nurses the abuse could still be continuing today. Concerns were brought to the attention of senior nursing staff and actions taken. The hospital immediately escalated the matter to the local Metropolitan Police as well as Waltham Forest Council's adult safeguarding team. Other key partners including NHS London and commissioning bodies were notified and the Trust has continued to work with these organisations since. One newspaper headline refers to the abuse as a silent scandal on geriatric wards (Macfarlane, 2012). The three female NHS workers are alleged to have assaulted vulnerable and frail elderly patients on the hospital ward. Beech ward provided care for ill and elderly patients with dementia, stroke and falls as well as post-operative rehabilitation services.