Hospital inspected over children’s medication error

Two incidents of children in a Lincolnshire hospital being prescribed too much medication has resulted in an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The health watchdog said it visited Lincoln County Hospital in May following concerns over its children and young people’s service, after they had received information about a concern over the safety and quality of the service.

Inspectors visited two wards and focussed on questions relating to medicines, also speaking with the relative of one patient and eleven members of staff.

The watchdog found systems and processes to prescribe and administer medicines safely were in place and staff learned from incidents involving medicines to improve practice.

The report said “Action was taken and lessons were learnt.”

Following two incidents of children being given more medicine than they should have, inspectors said the trust had identified the need for more training and had delivered it.  Discussions had also been opened for staff to ask questions and “for the department to identify any lessons” that could be learned.

The report went on to say “Managers investigated incidents and shared lessons learned with the whole team and the wider service.  When things went wrong, staff apologised and gave children, young people and their families honest information and suitable support.”

Professor Karen Dunderdale, director of nursing and deputy chief executive at the trust, said “The report found that we administer medicines safely, are well-staffed, and learn from incidents to improve practice, but we do not have all the specialist equipment needed.

“We are in the process of making sure we have the extra specialist equipment needed.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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