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Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association commented on the pioneering report reviewing how well hospitals prevent inpatient falls.

“The report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) brings much-needed focus to the potential risk of inpatient falls. With around 250,000 inpatient falls each year, it remains a significant issue which also has a huge impact on other patient safety issues, such as bed shortages and waiting times, at a considerable additional cost to the NHS.

“The Patients Association welcomes this report for putting forward clear and logical recommendations to improve the current situation in many hospitals across the UK, at minimal cost to individual Trusts. It is therefore particularly concerning that simple failings are being found across the country, with almost one in five patients unable to access their call bell and almost one in three patients not being able to safely access their walking aid. Unfortunately this only confirms what we are being told on a daily basis on our National Helpline from patients and the wider public, but there is simply no excuse for poor care. This is why we must also prioritise safe staffing levels, with the right skills and expertise, to ensure that patient safety is not compromised. 

“The Patients Association has launched a new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Patient Safety, which will address a number of important issues such as medical errors, antimicrobial resistance, and dysphasia.” 

Notes for Editors

The full report can be found at: www.rcplondon.ac.uk/fffap

The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 52 years ago, and has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the Health and Social care system.

For further information please contact the Patients Association on 020 8423 9111 alternatively you can call 07779 004898. You can also visit us on our website at www.patients-association.org.uk

You can also view our All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Patient Safety at http://www.patientsassociation.org.uk/policy-campaigns/all-party-parliamentary-group-patient-safety/