Bristol review finds nurses under too much pressure

A review of paediatric intensive care services in England (PICU) is among 32 recommendations in the Independent Review of Children’s Cardiac Services in Bristol.

The review, which examined the safety and quality of children’s cardiac services, found that nurses were under pressure due to insufficient numbers and skill range.

It also found that limitations on the capacity of PICU was a national issue.

Staff meetings

The review team contacted 237 families treated at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, analysed 6,000 documents and held 50 staff meetings.

They found no evidence of care failures similar to those identified in the Bristol Public Inquiry of 1998-2001. 

Care outcomes were comparable with those of other congential heart disease centres, and there was evidence that children and families were well looked after.

Communication

However, care was found to be less than good on occasions and senior managers had sometimes failed to respond to parents’ concerns, which had led to a breakdowns in communication. 

Trust chief executive Robert Woolley apologised to families, said he accepted the report’s findings and would learn from them.