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Hospitals' care standards 'vary' | Hospitals' care standards 'vary' |
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Most patients staying overnight in hospital are happy with their care, but this masks problems in key areas and variations in standards, a survey says. | Most patients staying overnight in hospital are happy with their care, but this masks problems in key areas and variations in standards, a survey says. |
Nine in 10 inpatients in England said their care was good, very good or excellent, the Health Commission poll of almost 76,000 people showed. | Nine in 10 inpatients in England said their care was good, very good or excellent, the Health Commission poll of almost 76,000 people showed. |
But problems with the quality of food, information on treatment and the use of mixed-sex facilities were reported. | But problems with the quality of food, information on treatment and the use of mixed-sex facilities were reported. |
The government said it would look to drive up standards where necessary. | The government said it would look to drive up standards where necessary. |
But campaigners said the results were worrying and demonstrated that the NHS was struggling to give patients the respect and dignity they deserved. | But campaigners said the results were worrying and demonstrated that the NHS was struggling to give patients the respect and dignity they deserved. |
OVERALL APPROVAL RATINGS Top five trusts: Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust, Oswestry: 92Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, West Sussex: 91The Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool NHS Trust: 90Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester: 90Royal Marsden, London: 90 Bottom five trusts: Ealing Hospital, London: 65Homerton University Hospital, London: 67Mayday, Croydon: 67Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust, London: 68North Middlesex University Hospital, London: 69 On a scale of 0 (poor) to 100 (very good) | |
Overall, one in four patients said they shared a sleeping area with patients of the opposite sex when first admitted - but in some of the 165 trusts this rose to nearly half, while others had almost no sharing. | Overall, one in four patients said they shared a sleeping area with patients of the opposite sex when first admitted - but in some of the 165 trusts this rose to nearly half, while others had almost no sharing. |
For non-emergency care, which is where the government has promised to eradicate the use of mixed-sex accommodation, one in 10 said they had shared a sleeping area. | For non-emergency care, which is where the government has promised to eradicate the use of mixed-sex accommodation, one in 10 said they had shared a sleeping area. |
On the quality of food, just over half described it as good, while 15% said it was poor. | On the quality of food, just over half described it as good, while 15% said it was poor. |
A fifth of those needing help with eating also said they did not get it, but again there were big variations, with more than 40% reporting a lack of help in some trusts. | A fifth of those needing help with eating also said they did not get it, but again there were big variations, with more than 40% reporting a lack of help in some trusts. |
Patients also reported problems with the way they were kept informed about decisions relating to their care. One in five said they were not given enough information. | Patients also reported problems with the way they were kept informed about decisions relating to their care. One in five said they were not given enough information. |
The numbers saying their wards or rooms were very clean has also fallen slightly in the last five years to 53%, despite the focus on hospital infections such as MRSA. | The numbers saying their wards or rooms were very clean has also fallen slightly in the last five years to 53%, despite the focus on hospital infections such as MRSA. |
However, overall attitudes to the care patients received were largely positive. | However, overall attitudes to the care patients received were largely positive. |
The numbers saying their care was excellent rose from 41% to 42% in the last year. | The numbers saying their care was excellent rose from 41% to 42% in the last year. |
Overall, 92% said it was good, very good or excellent. | Overall, 92% said it was good, very good or excellent. |
Worry | Worry |
Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said the findings were "encouraging". | Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said the findings were "encouraging". |
But she added: "Some hospitals are struggling to deliver on some of the basics of hospital care. | But she added: "Some hospitals are struggling to deliver on some of the basics of hospital care. |
"There are striking variations in performance in key areas. Those performing poorly must learn form those who perform well." | "There are striking variations in performance in key areas. Those performing poorly must learn form those who perform well." |
And Charlotte Potter, of Help the Aged, added: "Scores in some trusts were worryingly low when it came to being treated with dignity and respect or receiving help with eating - areas of care particularly important to older people." | And Charlotte Potter, of Help the Aged, added: "Scores in some trusts were worryingly low when it came to being treated with dignity and respect or receiving help with eating - areas of care particularly important to older people." |
Health Minister Ann Keen said: "This survey gives a real insight into what patients think about their care. | Health Minister Ann Keen said: "This survey gives a real insight into what patients think about their care. |
"We will continue to listen to patients and work on those areas where improvements need to continue." | "We will continue to listen to patients and work on those areas where improvements need to continue." |