NHS put my life at risk after heart scare

Brendan Montague
Wednesday January 30, 2002
The Stockport Express

MAGISTRATE and former bank official Brian Rendell told this
week how he was forced to wait nearly 12 hours for a cardiac monitor despite a suspected heart attack.

And disabled heart patient Stephen Howarth discharged himself from hospital on Friday claiming nurses ran out of life-saving drugs.

Now the two have joined a chorus of complaints about a lack of heart equipment at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

Concerns that cardiac care at the hospital was in crisis were first raised in our sister paper the Stockport Times by cardiac patient and former nurse Jean Hooper, 53, who said she was refused a monitor despite heart attack fears.

But a hospital spokesperson claimed Stepping Hill did have enough monitors and tried to reassure patients that care was up to standard.

And Stockport NHS Trust chief executive Dr Chris Burke said: "The trust is confident that if a doctor decides a patient requires a heart monitor then one is made available."

Mr Rendell, 68, from Hollymount Road, Great Moor, claimed he overheard nurses discussing a seven heart monitor shortfall.
“I collapsed in my doctor's surgery and was taken to Stepping Hill and treated immediately.

"But I had to wait nine hours in the receiving ward. I heard a nurse say, 'Have we got any monitors?' The answer was no and he said, 'Well, we need seven.'

"I've absolutely no complaints about the nursing staff, they were brilliant, but 1 was, kept waiting nine hours before being transported to ward four.

"Having got my bed I had to wait two-and-a-half hours for the monitor and to be told did not have a heart attack." The Stockport magistrate remained in hospital for three days before being released.

Former Blackpool pier assistant manager Mr Howarth said nurses had to borrow medication from other patients and he was forced to go home to get two essential pills.

Mr Howarth, 43, from Paythorne Green, Offerton, has trouble with his heart beating too fast or out of rhythm and was admitted to hospital after an angina attack.

"The doctor gave me excuses about there not being enough staff and I said under those conditions I can't stop here, at least if I go home I get my medication."

Mr Howarth said nurses tried to place him on an ordinary ward for five days without a heart monitor.

"If you are a heart patient how are they going to monitor you without a heart monitor?
"They're very short of bed spaces and they want you out as soon as possible," he added. They forget about you. 1 never saw the consultant."

Woodsmoor resident Jean Hooper said nurses failed to give her a heart monitor after she was admitted to the hospital with chest pains because of a lack of equipment.

"They are taking chances with people's lives," she added. "These monitors are very basic and essential equipment."

Stockport NHS trust has been handed £400,000 to improve cardiology facilities including a new telemetry system which will allow nurses to keep watch over all heart monitors from one place.

Dr Burke said: "It is not the trust's policy to comment on individual cases. We. always encourage patients to get in touch with us directly so that we can address their concerns completely."