"Missed oportunities"

Anything else?

After an RTA they had the patient strapped to a body board and in a neck brace, that is to say they totally immobilised patient. Staff were told patient was immobilised & vomiting and failed to react, patient started to choke on vomit (couldn't turn head to side due to body board and neck brace) and only when staff were told a 2nd time patient was vomiting and immobilised did Dr put down BNF and react and get others to do an emergency roll and then clear airways. Family left to clear up vomit on patient and surrounding area. This was an RTA with suspected neck and spinal injuries which is why one X ray was not done - GP not happy with lack of progress on pt's back and re-referred for X ray - X ray showed suspected healing fracture....had this been done at time of A&E admission then months of pain may not have occurred if different treatment path followed. Pt was knocked out in RTA for some time - after being in A&E for 8 hrs they decided to attempt discharge, I say attempt as pt became very ill upon moving and was then moved 9hrs after entering A&E to an assessment ward. Staff were very caring though and did utmost to reassure both pt and family and there is no doubt the paramedics and staff saved pt's life. Staff in the main, other than BNF reading Dr, were amazing.