Coronation Street viewers were left baffled last week when a doctor left a drugs trolley unattended next to Abi Franklin’s (Sally Carman) hospital bed.
Recovering drug addict Abi spotted the trolley while in hospital and stole morphine, which she was seen taking later in the episode.
Medical law firm Patient Claim Line negligence expert Jennifer Smith said that while fans of the ITV soap were shocked over the unattended drugs tray and branded the scene “unrealistic”, there is a subtle form of negligence that happened during last Friday’s episode.
Jennifer told Birmingham Live: “There was a failure to sufficiently assess Abi when she was observed as visibly upset and distressed on the ward.
“The check seemed casual and rushed without a sufficient assessment.
Coronation Street viewers were left baffled last week when a doctor left a drugs trolley unattended next to Abi Franklin’s hopsital bed (Image: ITV)
“Given that the doctor knew the background, and she was clearly in visible distress.
“There should have been an assessment with a reasoned review as to whether she needed a counsellor.”
Corrie fans were outraged over the ridiculousness of the unattended drug trolley left by a medic working at the hospital.
Taking to Twitter, one fan fumed: “There is absolutely no chance in hell would any medical professional leave a trolley full of controlled drugs out in the open for any Tom, Dick or Abi to help themselves from.”
Recovering drug addict Abi spotted the trolley and stole morphine, which she was seen taking later in the episode (Image: ITV)
Another raged: “Abandoning a drugs trolley? Don’t do it, Abi.”
A third posted: “Abi shouldn’t be having morphine anyway as she’s a former drug addict.”
While fans fumed over the drugs trolley being left unattended, Abi’s mental health misdiagnosis frequently happens to patients in day-to-day life, says Jennifer.
She told the publication: “There was a failure to sufficiently assess Abi when she was observed as visibly upset and distressed on the ward; and in leaving a controlled drug unlocked in close proximity and unsupervised.
Patient Claim Line negligence expert Jennifer Smith said there may be criminal implications for Abi as she has stolen a class A controlled drug (Image: ITV)
“The doctors ought to have been aware from her records that she had a history of drug abuse and the doctor who passed by confirmed he was aware of the circumstances around her admission.”
Jennifer went on to highlight the implications of morphine addiction, and what may be in store for Abi.
She said: “There are potentially devastating physical and mental effects of addiction.
“Physical effects can include hallucinations, weakened immune system and alternating periods of consciousness.
“Mental and social effects can include self-harm to obtain a prescription, inability to concentrate and withdrawal from friends and family.”
She added: “There may also be criminal implications for her as she has stolen a class A controlled drug.”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV at 7.30pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
