A dying patient had to ring a hospital switchboard on his mobile to ask for a glass of water, after nurses ignored his pleas.Officials from the South London NHS Trust have apologised to the family of Derek Sauter, who later died in hospital of pneumonia.
The 60-year-old did not receive a "proper and professional standard of care" when he was admitted with a chest infection in June 2008.
A formal investigation is being conducted into his death, after it was found his oxygen levels went unchecked for 11 hours and were 35% lower than recommended.
Ruth Sauter, the patient's daughter, said she was disgusted by the treatment her father had received. She told The Daily Mail: "His condition was not life threatening, and nurses had specific instructions to keep close tabs on him.
"'But their appalling lack of care, and cruel behaviour killed my father...It's so much worse knowing that he died alone, thirsty and scared on that ward."
After being admitted in the morning, he was given antibiotics and oxygen, but was later forced to ring his wife to tell her that he was not allowed any more water as he had earlier knocked over a cup.
After ringing the switchboard, a doctor was called to the ward, only for a nurse to tell him that the patient was "overreacting".
The hospital was unable to comment directly on the case, as it is part of the family's legal proceedings.
A spokeswoman said: "South London Healthcare NHS Trust would like to apologise to the Sauter family for the failings in care that Derek Sauter received. The trust believes that Mr Sauter did not receive a proper and professional standard of care that he and his family had a right to expect."
See, patients of a socialist healthcare system do have rights after all!
One of the comments below the article:
THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS but more to do with people in the medical profession who are more interested in themselves than the care of others, despite the fact thats what they are paid to do! If they dont want the job then why do it? In the Social Services and NHS its always a case of acting too late and ignoring the basic needs of people. Its about time a firm example was made! It doesn't take a genius to be able to care about human life, just a heart!
So which system, pritheetell, put these people in these positions in the first place, and why did these people decide to apply for this job instead of another?
This system is way overworked and underpaid. Period. You get what you pay for, and this is a system with no competition.