An Analysis of Unethical Conduct at Stafford Hospital: A Report

This report examines the unethical behavior at Stafford Hospital, highlighting the detrimental impact on patients, staff, and the NHS. The analysis covers insufficient staffing, poor management, and unethical practices that led to significant patient deaths. The report discusses the consequences for the hospital's reputation, public confidence, and the medical staff, advocating for strict government action, including license cancellation. It also analyzes the impact of unethical practices in the context of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, emphasizing the need for improved healthcare delivery and the adoption of advanced technologies. Recommendations focus on improving care through hygienic conditions, safe environments, and compassionate employees, with an emphasis on ethical standards and patient well-being. The report underscores the importance of ethical practices in the healthcare industry and the critical role of staff in delivering quality care.

Stafford Hospital and the
Unethical Behaviour
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The given research is based on unethical attempts happen in Stafford Hospital due to
which may of people get died. It includes the scenario of the hospital including insufficient
availability of staff members and improper management of clinical practices which impact
negatively on patients. This includes the impact of unethical practices on public, staff members
and NHS. Meanwhile it is required to government to take strict actions and against the selected
care organisation and cancel their license and do not allow them for continue to operate.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................4
Impact of unethical behaviour on Stafford hospital reputation and whether the hospital should
be allowed to continue to operate...........................................................................................4
Impact of unethical behaviour on public confidence and whether the hospital should be
allowed to continue to operate................................................................................................7
Impact of unethical behaviour on medical staff and whether the hospital should be allowed to
continue to operate.................................................................................................................8
Impact of unethical behaviour on the NHS and whether the hospital should be allowed to
continue to operate.................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Ethics are a basic system of moral principles which have the potential to influence to alter
how decisions are made and how people can lead their life. The ethics assist in defining what is
better for individuals as well as society. Ethics basically covers how a person can lead a good life
and defines certain roles and duties which have to be fulfilled for taking moral decisions and
leading a better life (Pope, 2017). By using the framework any individuals who are disagreeing
on a certain medical issues or treatment practice can be sure by applying suitable ethical
principle. Stafford hospital which is successfully operated by Mid Staffordshire NHS trust
underwent some unethical practices due to which 400-1200 patients died from January 2005 to
March 2009. The issue like less efficient and understaffed employees were responsible for such
condition. The blame of such situation was on board members, external bodies as well as
management for failing to evaluate hospital care at right time. According to the Francis report
2010, it was found that lack of staff morale, staff shortage; less passionate workers and decision
of board to cut some funding have been lead into such status. The issue can only be resolved by
enhancing type of care through promoting hygienic condition, safe environment and
compassionate employees. The reputation of organisation got compromised at high rate which
lead into bad publicity and lowered its brand value. The reputation of any institution play a very
crucial role in deciding its profitability and image in public, sue to such poor care Stafford
Hospital suffered a lot. The main aim of the report is to discuss the unethical behaviour of
hospital on reputation of respective institution, public, medical staff as well as in NHS. Some
recommendations will be addressed for improving the brand name and ensuring that all ethical
standards are being met.
ANALYSIS
Impact of unethical behaviour on Stafford hospital reputation and whether the hospital should be
allowed to continue to operate
The hospital industry is completely unlike the other business sector as in other industries
companies only needs to satisfy the needs and demands of the customers whereas in hospital
industry they deal with the life of a human being, therefore they not only need to take care of the
health of the patient but they also need to be very ethical in their services (Geppert, 2017). If the
hospital is not ethical in their services, it might be able to severely damage the reputation of the
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hospital. The major effect of the unethical behavior in hospital can tarnish its image as well as it
can lead to the shutdown of its services. They can lose the license to provide the services of a
hospital. At the time of the audit if audit team finds out any unethical activities in the hospital
their report can make hospital lose all its patients because the patients will never trust a hospital
which is unethical and not caring about most sensitive thing on the universe that is a human life.
The government has every right to cancel their license of running a hospital which leads either
into shutting down of such place or to get demolished. Therefore, hospital must be very efficient
in their workings and must be very ethical in all possible ways.
Challenges for Stafford hospital reputation
Negative Government actions – The unethical attempts in given care organization impact
negatively on their reputation due to which government bodies may take strict action against
them. It includes the regular inspections in Stafford hospital in short period of time which
hamper management of clinical procedures and develop perception of people about wrong
attempt of institution due to which government is extra focused on them. However, the
government organizations can take strict actions against the given hospital and not provide
proper funds or other technological resources because they think that it can be misused there.
The steps of government can appeal from people to not prefer Stafford hospital for some
duration of time until the inquiry should not be completed.
Reduce Goodwill among customers – The avoidance of ethical principles is responsible
for developing problems for reputation of a Stafford hospital among clients. It includes the fact
that unethical practices can create some clinical issue with patients which make them realize
about negligence of care institution which facilitate in decrease of trust factor. Meanwhile, it will
results into reduce in goodwill of brand among clients and they share their experience to other
people due to which individuals avoid its services and select other hospital to get required
medical facilities. Additionally, customers trusts get reduced then it will impact negatively on
entire business of institution as well as its growth. Furthermore, the decreased brand image can
develop a problematic situation of reducing clients which impact negatively on productivity as
well as profitability.
Legal actions – The reputation of Stafford hospital get reduced if they attempt
inappropriate clinical practices or show negligence while dealing with patients. It includes that if
staff members will not provide proper information about treatment procedure to patient then it is
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an unethical practice which can be evaluated by legal bodies by views of clients. However, it is
responsible for developing situation of legal problems because they can charge a huge amount of
money from hospital as penalty which impact of reduce reputation of organization among
people. The legal bodies may put a ban temporarily or permanently on operating of given
hospital according their severity of unethical practices. In addition to this, he license of care
organization can be canceled by legal institutions to prevent their harmful clinical activities to
save people and their lives.
The London Borough of Hammer smith and Fulham
In context of London Borough of Hammer smith and Fulham, it has been analyzed that
there are several problems like poverty, health inequalities, chronic conditions etc. which affect
health of entire population. It includes the need of delivering immediate and appropriate care
services to people living in the selected borough in order to maintain their health. Basically, the
poor air quality in geographical area of borough is responsible for developing situation of early
death of people. It is observed that there is a sixth highest ambulance call rate and hospital
admissions which indicates about high rate of health problems among people. It is necessary for
healthcare authorities to analyze about potential of available care services or clinical procedures
that it is sufficient to solve health issues among overall population of London Borough of
Hammer smith and Fulham. Moreover, it is essential develop some more effective as well as
efficient operating or clinical strategy by suing advanced technology to deliver accurate as well
as quick care facilities for improving entire health condition.
On the other hand, it has been analyzed that tech-tonic program delivery update – desktop
strategy &
Solution is developed for enhancing delivery of care services for welfare of people living in
London Borough of Hammer-smith &
Fulham. In this, the the mobile and desktop technologies can be modernize which helps in
improvement of working of medical practitioners as they more quickly provide services to
desired patient. Basically, this technique is favorable in supporting the working from any
geographical location for helping the vision of council in terms of delivering facilities at the
point when they are actually needed. It is also suitable in order to optimize the flexibility and
efficiency of care services. Meanwhile, tech-tonic strategy is suitable for making desired change
in organizational culture that facilitate to increase potential of clinical practices for boosting up
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patient experience. Moreover, the innovative and advanced technologies should be adopted by
care organization in London Borough of Hammer-smith &
Fulham in order to enhance working practices and collaborative tools for improving accuracy of
treatment process for maintain entire health of population.
Impact of unethical behaviour on public confidence and whether the hospital should be allowed
to continue to operate
Ethics plays an important role in terms of delivery appropriate care services in order to
make people well-being. It is necessary for every care professional to consider all the ethical
principles such as autonomy, justice, beneficence etc. that is helpful to make correct decision of
treatment. However, unethical behaviour on public is responsible for developing various
problematic issues as people will not get satisfied by care services (Wadd, 2017). It has been
analysed that medical practitioners are not capable to deliver appropriate facilities if they ignore
ethical principles. Moreover, unethical practices are required to be strictly avoided at healthcare
organisation in respect of making people healthy and comfortable.
In context of given case of Stafford Hospital, it is observed that improper care practices
were carried out by staff which is responsible for death of around 400 to 1200 patients. This
situation is really serious condition for which strict action should be taken by government
authorities so that hospital management will give prior importance every patient’s life.
Meanwhile, it is also necessary for legal bodies to make sure about desired availability of staff
and other required resources in order to provide care facilities for needy people on time (Wilson,
2018). In addition to this, unethical behaviour on public is considering as legal offence which
impact negatively on their lives as well as economic growth of the country.
The unethical behaviour towards public is very dangerous because employees were
playing with lives of people. It is necessity for government authorities to cancel the license of
hospital as a punishment which set an example for other health institutions so that they will
carefully deal with citizens and ensure on ethical practices to be carry out. However, legal bodies
should conduct research about large amount of people get died due to negligence of hospital
management. They have a duty to arrange well experienced staff or if they are not able to do so
then they should refer patient in some other hospital for proper treatment. It is very important to
take strict actions against Stafford hospital and do not allow them operate.
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Impact of unethical behaviour on medical staff and whether the hospital should be allowed to
continue to operate
The staff members of an organisation are consider as a backbone because they are
responsible for putting efforts to satisfy needs of clients. It includes the criterion of hiring
candidate with desired experiences and knowledge level which is sufficient for conducting roles
in hospital properly (Ison, 2017). However, it is essential to provide proper training and learning
for employees to make them aware about standards of care which are required to be considering
while carry out clinical practices. Basically, it includes patient centred care, respect & dignity,
confidentiality of patient, justice, legislations, quality, equality and many more.
In case of Stafford Hospital, it has been analysed that they have appointed non health
staff on reception and give responsibility to deal with them which is an unethical behaviour with
them. It includes the lack of morale and compassion among employees which impact negatively
on their performance. However, the given healthcare organisation provide charge of wards in
hands of junior which is not appropriate due to which patient get suffer (Erp and Loyens, 2016).
In addition to this, it has been analysed that staff availability is not correct and available
employees are not correctly trained which direct impact on patient outcomes negatively.
Moreover, the improper management of employees is responsible for leading to death of bulk of
individuals in hospital.
Considering the unethical behaviour on staff, it is necessary for government to take strict
legal action against the authorities responsible for management of Stafford hospital. It is very
important for legal bodies to take action towards the hospital management and provide
guidelines to other care institutions for working in appropriate manner (Ash, 2016). Meanwhile,
The Stafford hospital will not have allowed continuing for operating because they have
accountability of poor delivery of care facilities and death of around 1200 people. Moreover, it is
required to take strict action against high authority people and hospital by cancelling their license
or ban them for some time to operate so that they will not repeat the unethical practices again.
Impact of unethical behaviour on the NHS and whether the hospital should be allowed to
continue to operate
Considering the case study of Stafford hospital, the major issue is observed regarding
delivery of poor care services due to lack of staff and improper management. It has been
analysed that unethical behaviour of selected organisation will develop question mark on image
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of NHS because it is associated with it. Basically, it is observed that unethical attempt has very
serious consequences on patient outcomes as well as hospital goodwill (Gemmell, 2017). It is
observed that NHS may cancel the partnership working with Stafford hospital which creates
various challenges for the organisation. Meanwhile, it impacts negatively on various aspects that
given organisation will not get support from other health institutions and they will not refer their
patient here. Overall, the unethical behaviour on NHS impacts their professional relationship as
it spoils image of Stafford hospital. It has been evaluated that unethical behaviour in any context
has serious consequences so that every care practitioner should properly follow ethical principles
while carrying out clinical procedures. Moreover, it is essential to analyse importance of every
life while providing medical facilities and deal with them carefully.
In case of Stafford Hospital, it has been analysed that unethical behaviour of this
organisation cannot be consider as a mistake but it is a huge legal offence, they have attempted
wrong practices and deliver poor care which results into deaths of approximately 1200 deaths.
However, government should not allow them continue to operate again as they may do such
attempts again (Green and Day, 2017). Moreover, it is required to provide proper guidelines
about ethical principles and apply legal act against unethical attempt for care professionals as
well as hospitals.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that, unethical behaviour have the potential to
negatively influence the reputation of business and can effects its brand value to the deepest. The
impact of unethical actions on hospital reputation can collectively decrease its productivity and
power to attract diversified patients for receiving treatment. It has been observed that its can have
a huge adverse effect on public confidence because they do not want themselves or there any
family members to get treatment in such hospital which does not take good care of patients. The
confidence levels of such individuals get reduced at high are due to such irresponsible and
invalid behaviour. The impact of unethical practices on existing medical staff are also negative,
there may be some chances where they do not get job in much respected and reputed hospital due
to their work history. NHS being such a high working body also gets negatively shaped due to its
definite link with Stafford hospital. All such practices states that hospital should not be operated
until they adopt some solution.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to unethical actions of hospital, the working capability as well as functioning of
respective institution has drastically reduced. The public no longer trust their quality of servicing
which has resulted in lots of pressure on board members, management and external bodies. The
hospital must adapt some solution and recommendation on basis of which they can reshape their
brand name and can achieve ways to regain trust of people. The issue of lack of employees can
be resolved by hiring more experienced workers so that they have a basic as well as professional
knowledge about medical practices and ethics. They can provide high training and must engage
the existing employees in some campaigns so that they get more knowledge and idea about how
things work ethically in hospitals. Such experienced medical staff will not only assist in
rendering correct medicines on time but it also aid in improving the quality of care and support
being provided to various patients. It has been recommended that board members and all
potential stake holders should invest more money on resources so that every patient gets proper
food and drinks on time. They should highly invest on organising training session for more
educating the junior staff to take care of medical unit in absence of doctors effectively and to
boost their morale and dignity. It may be suggested that NHS along with other medical body
should timely evaluate the efficiency and working of such hospitals, they should make sure that
whether respective organisation is worming as per specified structure ethically or not. By
adopting and implementing all such practice Stafford Hospital may regain its popular name and
can again become efficient in rendering quality care.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ash, A., 2016. Whistleblowing and ethics in health and social care. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Erp, J.V. and Loyens, K., 2016, June. Motivations for reporting organizational misconduct by
professional bystanders. In Law and Society Association Annual meeting (2016), New
Orleans.
Gemmell, J., 2017. Ethical reasoning and the practice of Chinese medicine: Challenges of the
post-registration environment. Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese
Medicine, 11(1), p.10.
Geppert, C.M., 2017. Compassion, respect and dignity. In Ethics in Mental Health-Substance
Use (pp. 74-85). CRC Press.
Green, S.C.S.L. and Day, R., 2017. To Touch or Not to Touch? Exploring the Dilemmas and
Ambiguities Associated with Touch in Social Work and Social Care Settings.
In Practical Social Work Ethics (pp. 95-120). Routledge.
Ison, R., 2017. Four Settings That Constrain Systems Practice. In Systems Practice: How to
Act (pp. 223-250). Springer, London.
Pope, R., 2017. The NHS: Sticking fingers in its ears, humming loudly. Journal of Business
Ethics, 145(3), pp.577-598.
Wadd, S., 2017. The older adult. In Ethics in Mental Health-Substance Use (pp. 236-253). CRC
Press.
Wilson, F.M., 2018. Organizational behaviour and work: a critical introduction. Oxford
university press.
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