A man said he was left "begging for help" from doctors after he suffered life-changing injuries due to sepsis caused by failures at his local hospitals. Paul Robinson, 70, developed recurring sepsis for almost a year after being hospitalised on multiple occasions in Brighton and Worthing. The company director from Goring, in West Sussex, said: "I've lost my freedom, confidence, business, very nearly my family home, and almost my will to live." Professor Katie Urch, chief medical officer for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We cannot publicly discuss any of the details of this case at this time, but we offer our heartfelt sympathies to Paul and his family." Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection where the body's immune system damages its own tissues and organs, according to the NHS. Mr Robinson was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. He successfully had a lump removed from his lung. But during chemotherapy, he became unwell and was diagnosed with sepsis. He said he went through several relapses with sepsis and was in hospital for 13 days. "I was left for 11 months with recurring, untreated sepsis – despite begging for help," he said. Describing his care at Worthing Hospital and Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, he said there was a breakdown in communication between nurses, doctors and departments. He said there had been "systemic failures" and "ignored warnings" with his care. "We asked for help 47 times, and we were ignored 47 times," he added. According to the UK Sepsis Trust, the medical condition kills more people than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined. After being transferred to Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, Mr Robinson said he had 14 "life-saving surgeries". "I lost a quarter of my back and my rib cage, leaving my lung outside of my body for over three years," he said. "And I had to learn to walk again, I was fed through a tube. "Every day I see NHS campaigns about spotting the signs of sepsis. We knew the signs, we pleaded for help, and nobody listened." Mr Robinson's wife, Carys, said her husband was "incredibly weak and frail". "Every day is a battle. The ordeal has caused unbelievable amounts of stress to his family," she said. "I want those responsible to be held to account, so no other family goes through this horror. And making us suffer and wait years for justice just adds insult to catastrophic injury." Mr Robinson's care in Sussex was before two hospital trusts merged. The Royal Sussex County Hospital and Worthing Hospital are both run today by University Hospitals Sussex. Prof Urch added: "We know that the family have many concerns about Mr Robinson's care, and we are committed to supporting the legal proceedings to ensure the family get the answers they need, and we can make necessary improvements if anything could have been done differently." Follow BBC Sussex onFacebook, onX, and onInstagram. Send your story ideas tosoutheasttoday@bbc.co.ukor WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
I had to beg doctors for help, sepsis patient says
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Sepsis Patient Describes Struggles and Calls for Accountability Following Hospital Failures"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Paul Robinson, a 70-year-old man from Goring, West Sussex, has recounted a harrowing experience with sepsis that left him feeling desperate for medical assistance from local hospitals. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and undergoing successful treatment, Robinson developed sepsis during chemotherapy. His condition deteriorated, leading to multiple hospitalizations in Brighton and Worthing. Over a span of nearly a year, he suffered from recurring sepsis, which he claims was exacerbated by a breakdown in communication among healthcare providers. Robinson expressed his anguish, stating that he begged for help 47 times, yet his pleas went unanswered. He lost significant aspects of his life, including his freedom, confidence, and nearly his family home, which has taken a substantial toll on his mental well-being and family dynamics.
Following a series of failures in his care, Robinson was eventually transferred to Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, where he underwent 14 life-saving surgeries. His ordeal resulted in severe physical consequences, including the loss of a quarter of his back and rib cage, leaving his lung exposed for over three years. His wife, Carys, described the immense stress and strain the situation has placed on their family. They are now seeking accountability for the systemic failures that led to Robinson's prolonged suffering, with hopes that no other family will endure a similar experience. Professor Katie Urch, chief medical officer for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the family's concerns and expressed a commitment to support them in seeking answers through legal proceedings, emphasizing the importance of improving care protocols to prevent future incidents.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the distressing experience of a sepsis patient, Paul Robinson, who claims to have faced significant challenges in receiving appropriate medical care from local hospitals. His accounts of systemic failures and repeated pleas for help raise critical questions about the healthcare system's efficiency and responsiveness. The underlying issues presented in this narrative suggest a deeper examination of patient care protocols and the potential shortcomings of the National Health Service (NHS).
Patient's Experience and Healthcare Failures
Robinson's ordeal illustrates a troubling pattern of neglect in the healthcare system, particularly regarding the treatment of sepsis, a life-threatening condition. His experience of having to "beg" for help and being ignored multiple times paints a grim picture of patient-provider communication breakdowns. The mention of "systemic failures" and "ignored warnings" signals a need for accountability within healthcare institutions. This case could serve as a catalyst for discussions on improving communication and care standards in hospitals.
Public Perception and Sympathy
By sharing Robinson's story, the article aims to evoke sympathy from the public and encourage a broader conversation about the rights of patients to receive timely and effective care. The involvement of a prominent figure like Professor Katie Urch, who expresses sympathy but refrains from discussing specific details, underscores the tension between patient advocacy and institutional confidentiality. This approach can generate public outrage and calls for reform in healthcare practices.
Potential Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on Robinson's personal story, it may also reflect a strategic effort to highlight flaws in the NHS, particularly as it faces ongoing scrutiny regarding funding and management. This could be an attempt to rally public support for increased healthcare funding or reform, subtly influencing public opinion to demand changes in policy or practice.
Manipulative Elements
The narrative carries an emotional weight that could be perceived as manipulative, especially in its vivid depiction of Robinson's suffering and loss. The choice of language, emphasizing the number of times he sought help, aims to provoke a strong emotional response from readers. This could lead to heightened awareness but may also risk oversimplifying complex healthcare issues.
Comparative Context
When compared to other healthcare-related reports, this article stands out due to its personal focus on a single patient's experience rather than broader statistical data. It may relate to ongoing discussions about healthcare quality and patient safety, especially in the context of the NHS, which has faced criticism in the past.
Societal Implications
The story has the potential to influence public sentiment towards the NHS, possibly impacting political discussions surrounding healthcare funding and management. As awareness of sepsis and its consequences grows, it could lead to increased advocacy for better training and resources within healthcare settings. The emotional resonance of Robinson's experience may also mobilize support from patient advocacy groups and the general public.
Market Impact
While the news does not directly relate to stock market movements, it could potentially affect public perception of healthcare companies and the NHS. Any discussions or movements toward reform could impact companies involved in healthcare services or pharmaceuticals, particularly those that focus on infection and sepsis treatment.
Global Context
Although the article centers on a UK patient, the issues surrounding sepsis and healthcare failures are global concerns. As sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, the narrative resonates with similar challenges faced by healthcare systems in various countries. This aligns with ongoing global health discussions about improving patient outcomes and healthcare accessibility.
Artificial Intelligence Implications
There is no explicit indication that artificial intelligence was used in crafting this article. However, language models could be employed in drafting narratives that emphasize emotional appeals, much like the structure seen in this report. AI's role in shaping public discourse, particularly around sensitive issues like healthcare, could influence how stories are told and perceived.
The reliability of the article is contingent upon the accuracy of Robinson's claims and the response from the associated hospitals. While personal stories can be powerful, they must be contextualized within broader healthcare trends to provide a complete picture. This article, therefore, raises important questions about patient care and the responsibilities of healthcare providers, signaling a need for further investigation into systemic issues within healthcare.