Saturday 24 Nov 2012 @ 09:10
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
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Culture of NHS means poor care remains unchallenged and unchanged
The Patients Association has recently published its fourth annual ‘Patient Stories’ report – a series of case studies highlighting shocking experiences of poor care that still scar the NHS.
‘Stories from the present, lessons for the future’ catalogues 13 accounts from patients or relatives who have experienced poor care in hospitals and care homes around the country. The report is a snapshot of the many stories of poor care heard by the Patients Association Helpline, and reflects wider shortcomings in the NHS, which require change in both Westminster and on hospital wards.
The Patients Association is already working with many Trusts to address poor care. We are doing this in two ways. The first is by working within the healthcare community to spread best practice and to encourage hospitals and care homes around the country to focus on ensuring dignity and compassion for their patients and residents.
The second is by working in partnership with the Care Quality Commission, who launch their ‘State of Care’ report on Friday 23rd November, to share data and information on health providers who are letting patients down, ensuring where appropriate action, is taken against those who are letting patients down.
In 2011 The Patients Association also launched our Care Campaign, which asks Hospital Trusts to sign up to improving standards in some of the fundamental areas of care that matter most to patients, such as communicating with compassion or assisting with toileting.
Case studies in Patient Stories:
- Mr Bowman, was admitted to hospital suffering with Meningitis. He also had Alzheimer’s Disease but despite concerns from the family, a number of disappearances and a pledge from staff that they would check on him every 15 minutes Mr Bowman went missing. He was sadly found drowned 4 miles downstream from the hospital.
- Margaret Allen’s sister, Joan Girdiefski, was very concerned by the care she received during her last stay in hospital. She was given numerous tests, without explanation and a DNR order was placed on her file without consultation.
Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of The Patients Association, said,
“The sad conclusion of this report is that still far too many patients are being shockingly let down by the NHS every day. These appalling and tragic cases serve to highlight the devastating consequences when poor practice is left unchallenged and unchanged. Behind each one are many more unheard voices.
Whilst there is a lot to be proud of about the NHS, including the overwhelming majority of staff who are skilled and hard-working, these cases are a tragic wake-up call for those in Westminster as well as on hospital wards.
Of the relatives and patients who contact our Helpline most wish their experiences could have been different, but they all want to use their stories to influence policy makers. As we stand on the brink of the most radical shake up of the NHS in generations, a new culture of care with a commitment and priority from Trust Boards needs to be put at the heart of the health service, for those who do not appropriate action needs to happen. ”
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Notes
- Read the full report 'Stories from the present, lessons for the future' here
- In November 2011 The Patients Association launched its Care Campaign, which called on Hospital Trusts to sign up to improve care in four fundamental areas: providing adequate pain relief, support with eating and drinking, communicating with compassion, assistance going to the toilet. Over 80% of Trusts have signed up to the Care Campaign.
- In September 2012 The Patients Association published a good practice report highlighting examples of high quality care and innovative initiatives in hospitals across the Country. You can read the report here
- Between March and September 2012, Patients Association and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) worked together on a pilot known as ‘Tell us about your care’. The majority of information received provided a valuable marker for future monitoring by their inspectors to be used to inform planning for the next unannounced inspection of that service. The activity undertaken by Patients Association in delivering the pilot has helped to raise awareness of CQC amongst its key audience – people using regulated services, their relatives and carers.
- For further information or case studies please contact The Patients Association on 020 8423 9111
- The Care Quality Commission will be launching the latest ‘State of Care’ report on Friday 23 November evidencing structural issues behind some of these stories
‘Stories from the present, lessons for the future’ catalogues 13 accounts from patients or relatives who have experienced poor care in hospitals and care homes around the country. The report is a snapshot of the many stories of poor care heard by the Patients Association Helpline, and reflects wider shortcomings in the NHS, which require change in both Westminster and on hospital wards.
The Patients Association is already working with many Trusts to address poor care. We are doing this in two ways. The first is by working within the healthcare community to spread best practice and to encourage hospitals and care homes around the country to focus on ensuring dignity and compassion for their patients and residents.
The second is by working in partnership with the Care Quality Commission, who launch their ‘State of Care’ report on Friday 23rd November, to share data and information on health providers who are letting patients down, ensuring where appropriate action, is taken against those who are letting patients down.
In 2011 The Patients Association also launched our Care Campaign, which asks Hospital Trusts to sign up to improving standards in some of the fundamental areas of care that matter most to patients, such as communicating with compassion or assisting with toileting.
Case studies in Patient Stories:
- Mr Bowman, was admitted to hospital suffering with Meningitis. He also had Alzheimer’s Disease but despite concerns from the family, a number of disappearances and a pledge from staff that they would check on him every 15 minutes Mr Bowman went missing. He was sadly found drowned 4 miles downstream from the hospital.
- Margaret Allen’s sister, Joan Girdiefski, was very concerned by the care she received during her last stay in hospital. She was given numerous tests, without explanation and a DNR order was placed on her file without consultation.
Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of The Patients Association, said,
“The sad conclusion of this report is that still far too many patients are being shockingly let down by the NHS every day. These appalling and tragic cases serve to highlight the devastating consequences when poor practice is left unchallenged and unchanged. Behind each one are many more unheard voices.
Whilst there is a lot to be proud of about the NHS, including the overwhelming majority of staff who are skilled and hard-working, these cases are a tragic wake-up call for those in Westminster as well as on hospital wards.
Of the relatives and patients who contact our Helpline most wish their experiences could have been different, but they all want to use their stories to influence policy makers. As we stand on the brink of the most radical shake up of the NHS in generations, a new culture of care with a commitment and priority from Trust Boards needs to be put at the heart of the health service, for those who do not appropriate action needs to happen. ”
_________________________________________________________________________________
Notes
- Read the full report 'Stories from the present, lessons for the future' here
- In November 2011 The Patients Association launched its Care Campaign, which called on Hospital Trusts to sign up to improve care in four fundamental areas: providing adequate pain relief, support with eating and drinking, communicating with compassion, assistance going to the toilet. Over 80% of Trusts have signed up to the Care Campaign.
- In September 2012 The Patients Association published a good practice report highlighting examples of high quality care and innovative initiatives in hospitals across the Country. You can read the report here
- Between March and September 2012, Patients Association and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) worked together on a pilot known as ‘Tell us about your care’. The majority of information received provided a valuable marker for future monitoring by their inspectors to be used to inform planning for the next unannounced inspection of that service. The activity undertaken by Patients Association in delivering the pilot has helped to raise awareness of CQC amongst its key audience – people using regulated services, their relatives and carers.
- For further information or case studies please contact The Patients Association on 020 8423 9111
- The Care Quality Commission will be launching the latest ‘State of Care’ report on Friday 23 November evidencing structural issues behind some of these stories
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