The latest reports on Britain's Universal Healthcare Program

BCWUW4 (via Don Surber):

Gordon Brown promised relatives they would be entitled to an independent review of case notes and said standards "fell far short" of what people could expect from the NHS.

A damning report form the Healthcare Commission yesterday detailed a catalogue of failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals.

Dehydrated patients were forced to drink out of flower vases, while others were left in soiled linen on filthy wards.

Relatives of patients who died at Staffordshire General Hospital told how they were so worried by the standard of care they slept in chairs on the wards.

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The commission's report - revealed in yesterday's Daily Mail - said at least 400 deaths could not be explained, although it is feared up to 1,200 patients may have died needlessly.

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Among the findings of the report were:

• Receptionists carrying out initial checks on patients;
• Two clinical decision units - one unstaffed - used as 'dumping grounds' for A&E patients to avoid missing waiting targets;
  
• Nurses who turned off heart monitors because they didn't understand how to use them;
• Delayed operations, with some patients having surgery cancelled four days in a row and left without food, drink or medication;
• Vital equipment such as heart defibrilators was not working;
• A savings target of £10million met at the expense of 150 posts, including nurses.

Be careful what you wish for.