Dying Patient Was Refused A Glass Of Water

Something to look forward to here in America...

From Sky News:

A dying patient had to ring a hospital switchboard on his mobile to ask for a glass of water, after nurses ignored his pleas.

Officials from the South London NHS Trust have apologised to the family of Derek Sauter, who later died in hospital of pneumonia.

The 60-year-old did not receive a "proper and professional standard of care" when he was admitted with a chest infection in June 2008.

A formal investigation is being conducted into his death, after it was found his oxygen levels went unchecked for 11 hours and were 35% lower than recommended.

Ruth Sauter, the patient's daughter, said she was disgusted by the treatment her father had received.

She told The Daily Mail: "His condition was not life threatening, and nurses had specific instructions to keep close tabs on him.

"'But their appalling lack of care, and cruel behaviour killed my father...It's so much worse knowing that he died alone, thirsty and scared on that ward."

After being admitted in the morning, he was given antibiotics and oxygen, but was later forced to ring his wife to tell her that he was not allowed any more water as he had earlier knocked over a cup.

After ringing the switchboard, a doctor was called to the ward, only for a nurse to tell him that the patient was "overreacting".

This is what comes from socialized medicine and we are marching towards it. The Fed. Govt. is going to be telling doctors what they can and cannot do as to treatments and in this health care bill there is no appeal! Even Canada allows an appeal of the Government's medical panel decisions.

We can only hope the supreme court does the right thing and finds the Bill unconstitutional. If you people want government run health care then amend the Constitution otherwise it is unconstitutional!

Technorati Tags: news, politics, health care, socialized medicine, socialism, healthcare bill, Constitution, , law