RHEUMATOLOGY is now one of the Hospital’s “exemplar services”, according to the Island’s medical director.
Addressing the Health Advisory Board, Patrick Armstrong set out the programme of improvement which has taken place in response to the Royal College of Physicians’ report into care which was found to be “well below what the review team would consider acceptable for a contemporary service”.
The report found that the use of biologic drugs could not be justified in more than half the cases it reviewed, changed the diagnosis for almost 46.8% and discontinued medication prescribed in 38% of cases examined.
In a rheumatology update issued earlier this week, Mr Armstrong confirmed that the deaths of 20 rheumatology patients had so far been referred to the Viscount’s Department, which handles inquests.
He added that if the one-in-three ratio persisted across all 190 cases, the total number of referrals to the Viscount would be more than 50.
Mr Armstrong told the advisory board yesterday that three of the five clinical audits recommended in the report had now been completed, while a fourth would be closed once outstanding information had been received from GPs and the final audit – relating to now deceased patients – was making good progress. But reviews of those patients who had died would take “a long time” to complete, as the Viscount had requested further inquiries, Mr Armstrong said.
He said that rheumatology had become one of the Hospital’s “exemplar services” and paid tribute to “the massive amount of work” that had taken place “in very difficult circumstances”. He also outlined a series of improvements including the appointment of a biologic pharmacist and specialist nurse in February and April this year.
HCS says that the process by which those adversely affected by their treatment can seek compensation remains under development but that the intention was to adopt a “patient-friendly” approach that was not overly protracted or complicated and which respected patients’ rights to seek independent legal recourse. Work is taking place with a London law firm focusing on a pilot group of patients.
