The state of bowel care for patients with spinal cord injuries has sparked a call for a parliamentary inquiry, highlighting serious inadequacies in healthcare settings.
- Patients with spinal cord injuries face humiliating and dangerous situations due to insufficient bowel care protocols in hospitals.
- A recent parliamentary roundtable revealed distressing accounts of neglect in bowel care, impacting patients’ dignity and health.
- Campaigns are advocating for a national bowel care policy and adequately trained staff across healthcare settings.
- The Spinal Injuries Association and Hudgell Solicitors are spearheading efforts to address these critical issues.
The inadequate management of bowel care for patients with spinal cord injuries in healthcare settings has prompted Hudgell Solicitors and the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) to advocate for a parliamentary inquiry. This inquiry seeks to address the alarming inadequacies and potential dangers faced by these patients due to a lack of specialist care.
During a recent parliamentary roundtable, which saw the attendance of over 30 representatives from the NHS, MPs, and the spinal cord injury sector, it was revealed that some patients endure extreme discomfort and humiliation. Instances were reported where patients were unable to go to the toilet for extended periods, resulting in them lying in their own excrement due to inadequate care protocols.
The Campaign for Change, in partnership with the SIA, underscores the need for a comprehensive national bowel care policy. Their research indicates a ‘postcode lottery’ regarding the level of care provided, with significant discrepancies across the country. The campaign calls for universally implemented bowel care policies across NHS healthcare providers.
Elizabeth Maliakal of Hudgell Solicitors highlights the impact of insufficient bowel care policies, noting that many patients experience delayed or unattended care, affecting their dignity and outcome after hospital discharge. Properly trained nursing staff and consistent care protocols are identified as crucial improvements needed within the NHS.
SIA’s campaign, ‘This is #SeriousSh1t,’ seeks to secure a commitment from healthcare providers to establish robust bowel care policies. The campaign also aims to ensure that nursing staff receive appropriate training to deliver consistent, quality care across all healthcare settings.
The issue has gained public attention through social media, with SIA ambassador Jonathan Goodwin emphasising the severe health risks posed by inadequate bowel care. His testimony, alongside others, highlights the urgent need for action to prevent life-threatening complications.
Patients have shared harrowing experiences of being instructed to manage their own bowel care inappropriately while hospitalised, leading to humiliation and a profound fear of future hospital visits.
The call for a parliamentary inquiry aims to address critical lapses in bowel care, seeking to improve patient dignity and healthcare outcomes.
