Gemma Lewis @gem1509 Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

@md_kirk

@CMTMusicAwards

@DNe693bYYAGvgoG

@AppySports

@ADAonSOL

@OLSC_Rwanda

@hcolewiley

@lein_frid

@trainingVDS

@_caavl

@refikanadol

@IhyMarx

@Ruilouis_pk

@treythekiid3

@SDRocketCon

@LMMHABITAT

@KellyG581976179

@sajda123s

@_cmo0n_

@sanseito_kn16

@heyimlils

@jined_akgei

@gmtoggie

@nobu_akiyama

@SukiFanart

@moririful

@mzthickandproud

@rathernotsaykay

@MartinaPoberaj

@mukmukhsin

@UniteNov3

@kanazawa_itaya

@ortmanc

@DrHarrisShah

@cgmsn_athletics

@ElectroW_YSA

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

Physician associates have no place treating patients. The experiment failed. Get rid of them. Just fund the NHS properly. Train doctors. Stop looking for an easy way out. Fund the NHS properly 4/4

18

281

1K

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

This death was preventable. I've been dealing with negligence in the NHS for a while now and sadly not much surprises me, but the creation of physician associates is genuinely terrifying 1/4

Man died from rare heart problem after being discharged from hospital

Ben Peters, 25, suffered fatal haemorrhage after being sent home from Manchester Royal Infirmary

www.telegraph.co.uk

54

439

1K

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

With "physician" in the name, how is someone supposed to know they're not being seen by a doctor or a doctor in training? Whoever came up with that title must've known what it would imply. It's deception and it's not safe 3/4

6

78

486

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

I thought it might be interesting to compare the position for Drs with that of lawyers, the majority of whom work in the private sector. I have used my experience, but it may differ for others. 1. Exam fees: now around £1800 + VAT. The firm I trained with paid. Free. 🧵

Anonymous Anaesthetist

@gaslad

4 months

This year's fees to do my job paid out of my pocket: 1. Exam fees x2: £1140 2. Hotel and travel cost for exam: £240 3. GMC fee: £433 4. Parking at hospital: £420 5. Indemnity: £650 6. Unrefunded courses: £450 7. Royal college fee: £168 8. Books and resources: 150 Total: £3651

108

580

1K

12

157

479

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

For those who don't know, this story concerns a pregnant 34 year old woman who reported a breast lump to a PA. She was told it was likely a blocked milk duct. There was no further action. A few months later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer 🧵

Family's anguish after cancer death of misdiagnosed mum

Colleen Howe, who was 34 years old and eight-months pregnant at the time, believed she was seeing a doctor at her GP practice in Suffolk after discovering a lump in her right breast in August 2021.

www.dailymail.co.uk

23

114

377

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

This illustrates my concerns about the increase in the number of MAPs & the expansion of the role. Diagnosis a week earlier would likely have made no difference for this patient, but without supervision from the GP, the cancer may have been missed entirely 1/

Dr Done

@Dr_Done_

5 months

Self interest is all it ever was.

75

156

984

9

66

339

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

I asked my husband if he would know that a physician associate was not medically trained and he said no. I expect I would've said the same before reading the reports about deaths they've caused 2/4

3

50

309

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Am I reading this right? Orthopaedic ACPs are handling referrals from ED - so patients with suspected CES? Cynics will say that me & my colleagues are rubbing our hands together at this, but trust me - we aren't We are so scared about what this means for #patientsafety

Robert Smithers

@Rob_Smithers

6 months

@DrAsifQasim @RotherhamNHS_FT It seems that is the case for orthopaedic surgery

3

1

32

19

53

283

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

This is worrying. Is it just me who thinks this suggests PA education is more in-depth? There's no use of "basic" for PA studies. For doctors there's no reference to the qualification they have after uni - but PAs have degrees. Is this too critical? Or is there imbalance here?

Eilidh 🦀

@DrEilidhMaria

6 months

If you can’t see the writing on the wall, then it’s ok because health education England have laid it out for you.

56

64

465

25

22

249

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

And there I was thinking that lawyers are the unpopular ones. I don't understand how and when it happened that doctors became the enemy (I get why - I don't agree) but I don't blame them for leaving. Working in the sort of toxicity we hear about isn't sustainable. END.

4

14

187

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

I'm fairly new to the conversation about PAs & I know there are many out there who know far more about it than me, but I hope I can offer a different perspective🧵

Unqualified medics given senior hospital roles - BBC News

Physician associates have been used in responsible positions at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

www.bbc.co.uk

8

50

156

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

Appalling is right. The more basic the error, the worse it is. The patient could've avoided months of pain & suffering with earlier diagnosis. We're at the tip of the iceberg for these stories & the cost to people's lives & the NHS of such avoidable errors will be seen for years

Dr Done

@Dr_Done_

5 months

This is appalling. Mid 50s, cancer red flags ignored by PAs for 8 months. This could be your dad. The UK is failing patients, and planning to fail many more with the dangerous long term workforce plan.

126

419

1K

8

47

153

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

I have just come across this thread about anaesthesia associates. I'll admit that I'd previously focused my attention on MAPs in primary care or A&E, but I think the potential scope creep for AAs is far more worrying. It's like the danger you can't see.

Luke

@Shr_Nottingham

8 months

In it’s current guise the gov’s work force plan is a disaster & and as a consultant I feel compelled to raise a 🚩 The rapid expansion of anaesthesia associates within the NHS is likely to have severe consequences for patient safety and training Read on if you want to know why

26

352

854

10

27

146

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

If it looks like a 🦆, swims like a 🦆, and sounds like a 🦆, then it is probably a 🦆. Except it isn't, is it? And shouldn't that be clear? PAs and AAs are not doctors (🦆🦆). Does adding them to the GMC register make this clearer, or not? 1/5

GMC

@gmcuk

6 months

There are ongoing conversations around the future regulation of PAs & AAs. We recognise there are strong feelings about some issues. In this thread we address some of the key points we’ve heard. (1/8)

44

47

134

4

19

123

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

This outcome is not a surprise. I've been dealing with medical negligence caes against the NHS for long enough to recognise the deny, deflect & defend mentality that I have seen countless times before 1/3

Whistleblower doctor loses case against hospital - BBC News

Martyn Pitman claims he was victimised for raising concerns about midwifery care at a hospital.

www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org

6

46

123

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

They need to solve the problem of the lack of doctors first & then worry about who's going to provide support. Otherwise, all I can see in the future is more litigation.

10

7

121

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

There's a place in the NHS for the PA role but not at the expense of fully trained, specialist medics. Bringing PAs to join the NHS now is like trying to train firefighters in the middle of a Californian wildfire.

1

11

115

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

@NICEComms guidance? Nope....

1

6

107

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

6. CPD courses. Paid for by employer. Free. 7. We don't have anything similar to this. But we do have memberships to organisations, e.g. law societies or APIL. The fees are paid by employer. Free. 8. Books and resources. Bought by employer. Free. Total cost to me: £0....

1

7

102

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

And before anyone comes for me, I understand causation. I understand that a referral by the PA may not have saved this poor lady's life because the cancer was likely already very advanced. But it might save the next person, and that's the point.

4

6

103

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

2. Hotel and travel cost for exam: I did the exams close to home because there are a variety of places in the UK to choose from. Free. 3. Practising certificate fee: Firm pays. Free. 4. Parking at work: Free if I use it. 5. Indemnity: paid by employer. Free.

1

4

92

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

I might've paid a fee to be admitted to the roll of solicitors (it was a while ago), but if so, it can't have been much because I don't remember. I appreciate that the roles are totally different, but this just demonstrates that Drs have seemingly nothing in their favour.

3

4

86

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

"...regulation will “boost patient safety” and the GMC would “operate strict fitness-to-practice procedures and set education and training standards.” What's that old saying about closing barn doors after the horse has bolted? This feels a bit like that

Physician associates accused of illegally prescribing drugs and missing diagnoses

Patients’ lives put at risk by support staff who have failed to respond appropriately to medical emergencies, dossier reveals

www.telegraph.co.uk

5

16

79

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

@RCObsGyn guidance? Nope....

1

4

79

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

It is confusing. Everyone non-medical I've spoken to about PAs since I became aware of them has had no idea what they are & that they're not Drs. I don't know that many people, but it's a good representative sample to start with. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Eilidh 🦀

@DrEilidhMaria

5 months

The government said it’s not confusing. The grieving mother of Ms Chesterston explicitly said it is and feels there would have been a different outcome had she known physician associate did not mean doctor. I know who I’d listen to. The fact the government are deliberately…

15

46

190

10

17

74

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

@NHSEngland guidance? I don't think so....

1

4

73

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Medics of X/Twitter - are there other guidelines? I am curious to know why the NHS investigation in this case did not seem to find fault with the PA, yet the GP surgery said "usual practice would have been to schedule a follow-up within two weeks". What guidelines do they mean?

6

3

70

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@jamespyke

2

5

68

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

I would be interested to hear the views of any medicolegal GPs on here re: this scenario. My view is that the GP wasn't responsible for the delay, as they'd called for specialist advice & reasonably believed they'd received it. 1/

Mamas A. Mamas

@mmamas1973

5 months

This is an absolute crazy situation on two counts- that PAs with no medical training are advising doctors as the "on call paediatrician " 😳 and that if doctors follow this advice they are legally responsible. I think if faced with such a situation doctors should ask to speak…

31

295

855

6

11

68

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@TomStocks1982 That is a very interesting point. My understanding is that all treatment is signed off by a doctor, but I don't know who discusses the risks and benefits. I expect that it may come up in the future.

3

6

64

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

3 months

Even the subtitles are confused! At 8 seconds, "general practitioner" is written instead of "generalist practitioner". What hope have the general public got when the titles seem so blatantly designed to obfuscate?

2

11

64

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

The article says "an NHS investigation concluded that the advice she was given by the PA was in line with official guidance". Which guidance is this??

2

5

56

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

The PA's defensive attitude in this situation is exactly what can drive people to instructing lawyers. An apology to a patient, an honest explanation of what happened, & reflection on how to improve goes a long way 4/4

0

3

56

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

What will be done to educate the public about these roles? I don't think I've ever been given a doctor's GMC no, so distinguishing PAs / AAs from qualified doctors is a step in the right direction but how will patients know PA / AA does not mean doctor or nurse?

GMC

@gmcuk

6 months

2/3 Like doctors, PAs & AAs will have a responsibility to clearly communicate who they are, & their role in the team. The GMC reference number has been raised in this context. We’re considering how to make it as easy as possible for anyone to identify individual registrants & to…

51

12

57

3

8

53

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

And that is a scenario that could result in a medical negligence claim. Many clients say to me that their motivation for starting a claim is to prevent the same harm happening to others. 2/

1

4

54

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

I missed this tweet in October, but this story is a real eye opener. There is no question that PAs have a role in the NHS to support medics. This will benefit patients, no doubt about that 1/2

AMA President

@amapresident

7 months

"A physician associate in neurosurgery told the Physician Associate Podcast that he had “zero training in neurosurgery or neurology” during his course...‌he now “scrubs in and operates on things like subdural haematomas” Truly unbelievable🤯🤯🤯 @TheBMA

75

518

1K

6

12

51

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

I know from experience that the meaning of junior doctor is widely misunderstood, probably because the term "junior" is misleading. This thread provides a brilliant explanation. Factual & clear. It should be in every newspaper and on national news.

Dr Bella

@Dr_BellaR

4 months

What on earth is a junior doctor? A student? An apprentice? A side kick to a ‘real’ doctor? None of the above. The Tories and the Media have misled you. Let me explain by talking you through the ‘lifespan’ of a doctor - a 🧵

169

2K

6K

3

20

51

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Now the specialist can't do their job to the fullest, and things start to go wrong. It's not really the fault of those in the supporting role because they shouldn't be there in the first place. It is not the specialist's fault; they're doing everything they can. It's the system.

1

49

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

For clarity, I funded myself through the GDL conversion course and LPC, but I was looking only at fees once I'd done the requisite training to become a solicitor, so that it compares with the quoted post. The fees mentioned at 1. are actually incurred before qualifying.

2

1

48

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

In all industries, specialists need support so that they can do the thing they're expert in. But, imagine there's fewer & fewer specialists because they're overworked, underpaid, underappreciated. The demands on the system keep growing because it isn't properly funded / resourced

1

46

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

Maternity care at this trust "requires improvement" - last CQC inspection Jan '22. I hope that things have improved since then. Patient safety is all that should matter. 3/3

1

10

39

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

Now, I might be overthinking this, but does the timing of the Supreme Court decision about secondary victim claims seem coincidental to anyone else? Family members traumatised by witnessing loved ones die due to medical negligence (v. basic summary) can no longer claim. 1/

7

13

36

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

It will have the desired effect for a while. Other whistleblowers may be deterred from speaking out. People are told they can speak up without perceived risk to their role. But then this... and the NHS has lost a good consultant 2/3

1

9

38

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

So what happens? They turn to the support role because they are there. They're quicker to train. They'll fill the gap. The few specialists who're left are balancing their role with providing oversight to those in the supporting role, & they're also training new specialists.

1

38

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

3 months

Well, this is obvious, isn't it? Having more people to supervise makes any job harder, in any industry. Sometimes you can reach a point where you get into a groove & it works. But that takes years. And the stakes aren't normally so high.

Physician associates make job harder, not easier, say thousands of NHS medics

BMA survey finds 55% of doctors say working with associates has increased their workload

www.theguardian.com

5

9

37

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

I believe (maybe naively) that if there is an investigation / claim, it does make a difference. That those involved learn & are less likely to make the same mistake again - although there are big exceptions to this, see the state of maternity care. 3/

1

33

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

@ExplosiveEnema @ldndoc If a HCA does an LP (e.g. due to staffing issues) & is negligent - they're held to the standard expected of whomever should perform that task. The trust is vicariously liable for their actions, as employer, & there would be criticism for the HCA doing it in the 1st place.

5

6

33

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@DevanyAdam If those excess MRIs lead to even only one patient being diagnosed with CES early, then I don't see a problem. If the NHS was funded properly, claims would reduce. It's as simple as that. Successful claims are supported by medical evidence. We don't make it up.

4

1

26

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

I am supporting the call for a national maternity inquiry by @Safe_Maternity I represent families whose lives have been devastated by failures in maternity care that should have been avoided. It. Must. End. Pledge your support here:

1

7

25

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

I attended A&E with a friend of mine in September and the doctor who examined her had to write notes on kitchen roll. AI isn't the answer to patient safety. £100M is a pittance to them. Pay real money for doctors, nurses & functioning equipment. Buy some notepads.

Steve Barclay

@SteveBarclay

7 months

We've announced £100M funding to accelerate #AI in healthcare & life sciences. 👉 Helping us harness the latest tech to improve patient care and support NHS staff. 👉 AI tools are already having results – helping halve the time for stroke victims to get treated in some cases.

788

46

100

3

1

25

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

The law got it wrong today. The Supreme Court handed down a decision today in a case where family members of people harmed due to medical negligence claimed for psychiatric harm they suffered as a result of what they witnessed. The Court found against the Claimants. 1/

1

8

24

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

@ExplosiveEnema It often seems to be the way that when one story is shared, it encourages more people to speak, and then it grows. This doesn't look to be going away anytime soon

0

21

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 years

Thank you @ClassicFM for #PetSounds . Ted was very worried earlier but your soothing sounds (plus a snuggle) have calmed him down 🙏🙏🐶🐾🎶🎶

0

2

21

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

2 months

Another maternity service in the East Midlands that has failed. Another family devastated by loss, calling for an independent review. Why are we still seeing these tragedies? Our team has been doing medical negligence for over 30 years, we ask ourselves, what has changed?

Derbyshire Live

@derbyshire_live

2 months

Baby Zach's inquest hears of 'failure' from #Derby hospital trust

1

2

1

7

22

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

It's rare to read honest comments from those working in maternity services about fears of causing harm: "I walked away from it because I couldn't live with myself if I provided unsafe care for someone" 1/

Midwife quit over 'unsafe care' and staffing

Other NHS workers have risen in number five times more than midwives over the past decade.

www.bbc.co.uk

5

4

19

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Is this fair on PAs / AAs who haven't had the same level of training as doctors, & therefore won't reach the same level of competence? Is the alternative fair on patients? They must come first. What will the impact be? Increase in litigation? Reduction in patient safety? 5/5

1

19

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

When two huge issues, which are the subject of thousands of tweets, collide.....

Dr Huw

@DrHuw

5 months

“In the future, AAs could potentially support the Labour Ward service” Genuinely speechless that this sentence has been even suggested. LW can be one of the most remote clinically-challenging environments for experienced anaesthetic drs Just, no 🤦‍♂️ 7/7

16

20

148

1

4

18

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

Listening to the birth trauma & the baby loss debates in the House of Commons today, it has been regularly said that women & families must be listened to. How is that reconciled with the refusal to read a letter written by the Nottingham Maternity Families? When will they learn?

NottinghamshireLive

@nottslive

7 months

'Disappointment' letter from families not read in maternity meeting

1

4

6

1

5

18

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

"Public inquiries are lengthy & costly" The cost of failures in maternity care to families can't be measured. Failures in maternity care cost the the NHS the most of all NHS clinical negligence claims. 1/1

Maternity Safety Alliance

@Safe_Maternity

6 months

Terrible choice of words here from @Gibbo4Darlo - 'some sympathy'?? Peter, there are serious systemic failures causing widespread avoidable harm in maternity, well beyond the CQC's competence to fix. Very worrying that you seem not to have noticed.

3

11

15

1

6

17

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

So, should we be holding PAs and AAs to the same standard as doctors? If patients can't choose whether to be seen by a PA / AA and they are expected to take on roles previously filled by doctors, the outcome should be the same, shouldn't it? 4/5

1

0

18

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 years

@seanjonesqc How was he fit enough to drive to hospital to collect his wife and son, when he was still so unwell the day after that he had to see if he could walk. How did he even manage to get to his car without help??

4

3

17

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

I was pleased to speak with @eleanor__p of @Doctors_net_uk about the ongoing discussion surrounding physician associates & the scope of the role (see article for members) Patient safety must be at the forefront of all decisions about staffing in the NHS

Ellie Philpotts

@eleanor__p

5 months

For @Doctors_net_uk , I've done a deep-dive into the debate surrounding #MedicalAssociates / #PhysicianAssociates @FPARCP @RCPhysicians @AoAA_uk @moosa_duke @TheBMA @DrSelvarajah @gmcuk @NHSEngland

1

8

16

1

3

16

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

In medical negligence cases, drs are held to the same standard irrespective of their level of experience. FY1s & consultants are expected to provide the same standard of care - that of a responsible body of opinion 2/5

1

0

16

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

I may have it wrong. I may be reading too much into it, but it seems like too much of a coincidence to me. 7/7

4

1

15

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

@iDrSunny After reading that thread, I am inclined to agree. Very worrying.

1

2

16

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

8 months

Without a public inquiry into the standard of maternity services in Leicester, the same failures will keep happening. Mums and families have not been listened to. It is time that they are.

Moosa-Duke Solicitors

@moosa_duke

8 months

Moosa-Duke Solicitors speak to the BBC about the need for an independent investigation into maternity services at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital following the CQC report published yesterday #Leicester #maternity #BBCNews #WomensHealth #CQC #maternitycare

0

9

12

1

9

16

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@iDrSunny That is a brilliant thread, thank you @iDrSunny

1

2

15

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

It comes back to previous threads about the standard PAs are held to. If they're working as the on-call paediatrician (whether this is appropriate or not is another matter), that's the standard expected of them, so the responsibility for the delay would lie with them. 4/

1

0

14

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

@iDrSunny Wow...

2

0

15

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

The mistakes made in this case were basic. Failing to monitor the baby's heartbeat properly. Another family goes home without their beautiful baby. On top of the tragedy they had experienced, the parents (I am not their lawyer) then felt blamed by the Trust. There are no words.

BBC News Midlands

@bbcmtd

7 months

'Telford baby's death at scandal-hit trust was preventable'

0

4

2

5

13

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Is maternity safety really a top priority? Today's story from the @BBCNews suggests the opposite Maternity units with the lowest safety rating "inadequate" - meaning there's high risk of avoidable harm to mum / baby - has more than doubled from 7% to 15% since Sept 2022

2

7

15

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

First Nottingham, then Leicester, and now Derby. Maternity care in the East Midlands is not safe. If this isn't evidence of the need for a national inquiry, then what is? @Safe_Maternity

Derbyshire Live

@derbyshire_live

6 months

Following the news that the Royal Derby's maternity department has been given the lowest possible CQC rating, our Local Democracy Reporter says it will be somewhat unsurprising for those who have been monitoring the situation

1

0

1

0

5

13

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

Maternity reviews are happening, or are being called for, across the UK. Maternity claims can often involve secondary victims (usually dads or partners) because of their very nature. Maternity care is in crisis in the UK - this will likely lead to more claims. 3/

1

3

13

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

Do we need a National Public Inquiry into maternity services? What will it take to make maternity services fit for purpose?

Moosa-Duke Solicitors

@moosa_duke

7 months

Do UK hospitals need a National Public Inquiry into maternity services? Leicester's hospitals are the latest to be criticised by the CQC for the standard of the maternity care. Is a National Public Inquiry needed to address the deteriorating standard of maternity services?

0

1

4

8

7

14

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

This may sound unfair, but remember that NHS patients can't choose their doctor. If they're harmed, patients must be able to seek restitution for any injuries, otherwise they'd refuse to be treated by junior doctors who would then not have the opportunity to train & develop 3/5

1

0

14

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

3 months

49% of maternity units in the UK are inadequate or require improvement. This is based on 2023 figures, which were worse than the 2022 figures. @BBCNewsnight Will 2024 be the year when maternity services rated "good" & "outstanding" are in the minority? 1/3

BBC Newsnight

@BBCNewsnight

3 months

‘You’ve got a range of people coming in with more vulnerability, more disadvantages, there are communication issues’ Christine McCourt, Professor of Maternal and Child Health at City University discusses the inequalities in outcomes seen in maternity healthcare #Newsnight

7

8

24

2

1

14

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Families who have lost a child would give the cost of a public inquiry 10 times over if it could bring back their baby. Don't tell them that avoiding the cost of a public inquiry is more important than preventing more families from being devastated by maternity failures 2/2

0

5

14

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

@Dr_BellaR I belong to a WhatsApp group with some of my friends and we called it bellendery. Isabellend made me actually laugh out loud. Keep doing what you're doing, you're smashing it.

1

0

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

In memory of all babies lost too soon #WaveOfLight #BabyLossAwareness

1

3

13

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 years

@A4587GA @nataliesedacca The fact that they could fail the test now because of the character test is horrendous. They. Should. Have. Had. Citizenship. As. Children. Their character now is irrelevant. This country disgusts me

0

1

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

These opinions from Drs were obtained by @TheBMA & reported by @itvnews yesterday in advance of the legislation to be tabled today to regulate MAPs. Are the public aware of MAPs? Should they ask what the public thinks? They carry the potential risk. They need this information.

2

1

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

I'd be surprised if breach of duty was established here. If there was a clear reason to question the advice & the GP didn't but followed blindly, that could be different. 2/

1

0

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

@TheBreakster It shouldn't be a situation that we're even having to think about. It should be a no brainer that PAs are not in situations where they could be negligent. I haven't known anything like this, & I imagine a lot of people who've been doing this far longer than me would say the same.

1

0

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

This thread summarises the story so far regarding MAPs and how they are being introduced to the NHS right under the public's nose. I will also share to LinkedIn. More people need to know about this.

Dr Matt Kneale

@drmattuk

4 months

Tomorrow, a crucial piece of legislation around healthcare will be scrutinised by MPs. It will happen in a committee room, away from the main chambers, on a whisper. If it passes, it will worsen the health of the UK population. Did you know about it? No? A thread 🧵

281

6K

8K

0

4

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@TomStocks1982 @drmattuk I just hope that we don't need to find out.

0

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@EmilyJBarley @CareQualityComm @RCObsGyn It's like they double down on failing to listen & blaming parents on almost a daily basis now. Surely someone within these organisations can see what they're doing. Or is that naive? Why must people who have been harmed highlight what is wrong with their rhetoric?

1

4

12

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

@TheBreakster They're not wrong, anyone can make a mistake and even experienced doctors / nurses do. The worry is that standards will be slowly watered down, when surely we should always be trying to improve them?

1

0

10

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

Asking for a consultant's advice would probably be the gold standard (& in the best interests of patient safety), but I think it would be unreasonable to criticise a GP for not doing that when they've contacted the on-call service. 3/

1

0

11

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

"the NHS has made improvements to maternity services over the last decade" Taken from the article stating that the no. of maternity units rated inadequate or requires improvement for safety has increased from 54% to 65% in 1 year 1 year!! Let that sink in.

Two-thirds of England’s maternity units are substandard, says watchdog

CQC says too many mothers and babies receive care that is not good enough, with staff shortages among reasons

www.theguardian.com

1

6

10

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

If this works, the impact will be huge. If it's as described, the test could remove diagnostic uncertainty around sepsis & this will save lives. It'll also reduce claims due to missed or delayed diagnosis - an absolute win all round.

Shaun Lintern

@ShaunLintern

5 months

EXCLUSIVE: A new blood test for deadly sepsis that can give doctors a result in 45 minutes is being trialled at @GSTTnhs . It could also open the door to new treatments for the condition #sepsis

21

105

417

4

1

11

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

With the caveat that it's the GP's responsibility if the advice is so obviously wrong but the GP follows it anyway. I have dealt with similar situations (not involving PAs however) & the GP was not liable. 5/

1

0

9

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

4 months

Maternity claims are already at the top of the list for the amount of compensation paid by the NHS. A case with a secondary victim claim can involve significantly more compensation than if there is only a primary victim. 4/

1

2

9

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

It's certainly open to discussion though. And a tricky (not meant lightly) situation for GPs if it becomes necessary to start questioning the "specialist" advice they have sought out. 6/6

1

8

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 months

Everyone who can should add their name to support this inquiry. This is so important. It is only with the collective voice that any progress is made. Without harmed families, there would have been no reviews in East Kent, Morcambe Bay, Shrewsbury & Nottingham

Emily Barley

@EmilyJBarley

6 months

I'm overwhelmed by the response to our call for a #MaternityInquiry @Safe_Maternity - right now we're averaging a new pledge of support every minute! Add your name here:

4

18

53

1

2

10

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

How many more grieving parents and families will feel that they have to share their story before the calls for a maternity inquiry are acted upon?

ITV News Central

@ITVCentral

7 months

The parents of a baby girl who was stillborn at 30 weeks at a hospital in the Black Country have called for accountability in maternity care failings.

1

8

19

1

4

9

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

8 months

"I don't want Ansh to just be another statistic". Such powerful words from an incredibly brave family. An independent review is the only way Leicester can restore any trust or confidence in the maternity services.

Nav Kainth

@NavKainth1

8 months

Preeti and Hrushi who lost their baby Ansh have been incredibly brave speaking of their loss. “At no point was it communicated that there was an emergency situation” #independentreview

0

6

8

0

6

9

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

@MHA_92_ Not crude - it's a question I want to be asked, as it's something a lot of people think. Patient safety is at the forefront of what we do. I would truly love to have to find another job due to lack of work. The people who come to us are desperate because all else has failed them

2

4

10

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

6 years

@DoveUK That's good to know! Thank you. That information isn't widely known and a lot of people are suspicious of parent companies so they should publicise it!! Ps. So happy that I can buy Dove again!

2

0

9

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

7 months

The #BirthTrauma and #BabyLoss debates in Parliament today were powerful. @theodoraclarke received a standing ovation for her courage & honesty. We summarise some of the main points of the debates in our article. @BirthTrauma @moosa_duke

Historic debate in Parliament about Birth Trauma - Moosa-Duke Solicitors

Theo Clarke, MP for Stafford, was courageous talking about her experience of birth trauma in Parliament today. This is the first time that birth trauma has been debated in Parliament in the UK....

moosaduke.com

2

5

9

Gemma Lewis

@gem1509

5 months

@dx_mighty @iDrSunny Therefore, any trainee doctor, nurse, midwife dentist, surgeon is held to the same standard as a person experienced in that field. Otherwise, patients wouldn't allow trainees to treat / examine / operate on them. Trainees would then have no way to learn 3/

1

8