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Basic care 'lacking' in hospitals Basic care 'lacking' in hospitals
(about 2 hours later)
A patient lobby group is demanding an urgent review of basic hospital care after highlighting accounts of "appalling" NHS standards.A patient lobby group is demanding an urgent review of basic hospital care after highlighting accounts of "appalling" NHS standards.
Relatives told the Patients Association how their loved ones, often elderly people, were left lying in faeces and urine and were not helped to eat.Relatives told the Patients Association how their loved ones, often elderly people, were left lying in faeces and urine and were not helped to eat.
The group's president Claire Rayner, an ex-nurse, called for "bad, cruel nurses" to be struck off.The group's president Claire Rayner, an ex-nurse, called for "bad, cruel nurses" to be struck off.
The government said the cases were unacceptable but not representative.The government said the cases were unacceptable but not representative.
The report focused on 16 stories from relatives of patients in England, which the association says are just a few of the many similar reports from across the UK.The report focused on 16 stories from relatives of patients in England, which the association says are just a few of the many similar reports from across the UK.
It says accounts were reviewed critically before publication as it was aware complaints do "not necessarily reflect the reality".It says accounts were reviewed critically before publication as it was aware complaints do "not necessarily reflect the reality".
But it stressed nearly all the accounts were concerned not about treatment but basic nursing and domiciliary care.But it stressed nearly all the accounts were concerned not about treatment but basic nursing and domiciliary care.
'Wake-up call''Wake-up call'
The Patients Association noted the latest inpatient survey found 43% rated the service they received as excellent, a significant increase from the previous year.The Patients Association noted the latest inpatient survey found 43% rated the service they received as excellent, a significant increase from the previous year.
It is important to note this is not representative of the picture across the NHS. The NHS treats millions of people every day and the vast majority of patients experience good quality, safe and effective care Chris BeasleyGovernment chief nursing officerIt is important to note this is not representative of the picture across the NHS. The NHS treats millions of people every day and the vast majority of patients experience good quality, safe and effective care Chris BeasleyGovernment chief nursing officer
But it stressed the 2% who deemed the service poor had not changed between 2002 and 2008, and that while the proportions were small they still represented thousands of patients.But it stressed the 2% who deemed the service poor had not changed between 2002 and 2008, and that while the proportions were small they still represented thousands of patients.
Earlier this year, a report from the Healthcare Commission - now replaced by the Care Quality Commission - detailed grave lapses in standards of care at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.Earlier this year, a report from the Healthcare Commission - now replaced by the Care Quality Commission - detailed grave lapses in standards of care at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.
Families described "Third World" conditions, with some patients drinking water from vases and lying for hours in soiled bedding.Families described "Third World" conditions, with some patients drinking water from vases and lying for hours in soiled bedding.
"Whilst Mid Staffordshire may have been an anomaly in terms of scale the Patients Association knew the kinds of appalling treatment given there could be found across the NHS," said Katherine Murphy, the association's director."Whilst Mid Staffordshire may have been an anomaly in terms of scale the Patients Association knew the kinds of appalling treatment given there could be found across the NHS," said Katherine Murphy, the association's director.
"This report removes any doubt and makes this clear to all. Two of the accounts come from Stafford, and they sadly fail to stand out from the others.""This report removes any doubt and makes this clear to all. Two of the accounts come from Stafford, and they sadly fail to stand out from the others."
She said the stories were often about the most vulnerable elderly.She said the stories were often about the most vulnerable elderly.
"We hope this report is a wake-up call for the Department of Health and the Care Quality Commission.""We hope this report is a wake-up call for the Department of Health and the Care Quality Commission."
She said the organisation had made recommendations to avoid other patients having similar experiences.She said the organisation had made recommendations to avoid other patients having similar experiences.
"We hope this report also encourages other people to get in touch with us and tell their stories-we plan to continue publishing accounts until we can be confident that every patient is secured dignity in their care," she continued."We hope this report also encourages other people to get in touch with us and tell their stories-we plan to continue publishing accounts until we can be confident that every patient is secured dignity in their care," she continued.
Two per cent is too many but we are concerned that this might undermine the public's confidence in the world-class care they can expect to receive from the NHS Dr Peter CarterRoyal College of NursingTwo per cent is too many but we are concerned that this might undermine the public's confidence in the world-class care they can expect to receive from the NHS Dr Peter CarterRoyal College of Nursing
Relatives described how they found their loved ones dehydrated or lying in faeces, blood and urine, and told of problems in getting help from nurses. They also told how patients were left with sandwiches or drinks in packaging which they could not open.Relatives described how they found their loved ones dehydrated or lying in faeces, blood and urine, and told of problems in getting help from nurses. They also told how patients were left with sandwiches or drinks in packaging which they could not open.
"I am sickened by what has happened to some part of my profession of which I was so proud. These bad, cruel nurses may be - probably are - a tiny proportion of the nursing work force, but even if they are only one or two per cent of the whole they should be identified and struck off the Register," said Claire Rayner."I am sickened by what has happened to some part of my profession of which I was so proud. These bad, cruel nurses may be - probably are - a tiny proportion of the nursing work force, but even if they are only one or two per cent of the whole they should be identified and struck off the Register," said Claire Rayner.
Good 'overshadowed'Good 'overshadowed'
Government chief nursing officer Chris Beasley said: "All patients deserve the highest quality of care from the NHS and the poor care received in these cases is simply unacceptable.Government chief nursing officer Chris Beasley said: "All patients deserve the highest quality of care from the NHS and the poor care received in these cases is simply unacceptable.
But she said this was not representative of the picture across the NHS.But she said this was not representative of the picture across the NHS.
"The NHS treats millions of people every day and the vast majority of patients experience good quality, safe and effective care - the Care Quality Commission's recent patient experience survey shows 93% of patients rate their overall care as good or excellent.""The NHS treats millions of people every day and the vast majority of patients experience good quality, safe and effective care - the Care Quality Commission's recent patient experience survey shows 93% of patients rate their overall care as good or excellent."
The CQC said the registration system it was introducing for trusts next year would ensure they met key quality standards.The CQC said the registration system it was introducing for trusts next year would ensure they met key quality standards.
"It is absolutely right to highlight that standards of hospital care can vary from very good to poor," said chairman Barbara Young."It is absolutely right to highlight that standards of hospital care can vary from very good to poor," said chairman Barbara Young.
"Many people are happy with the care they receive, but we also know that there are problems."Many people are happy with the care they receive, but we also know that there are problems.
"Matters related to the dignity of care are of particular concern to patients and their families."Matters related to the dignity of care are of particular concern to patients and their families.
"And poor basic nursing is a recurring theme in organisations that perform badly."And poor basic nursing is a recurring theme in organisations that perform badly.
"I am in no doubt that many hospitals need to raise their game in this area.""I am in no doubt that many hospitals need to raise their game in this area."
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said it would not condone nurses who behave in ways "that are contrary to the principles and ethics of the profession".Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said it would not condone nurses who behave in ways "that are contrary to the principles and ethics of the profession".
But he added: "This report is based on the 2% of patients who feel that their care was unacceptable.But he added: "This report is based on the 2% of patients who feel that their care was unacceptable.
"Two per cent is too many but we are concerned that this might undermine the public's confidence in the world-class care they can expect to receive from the NHS."Two per cent is too many but we are concerned that this might undermine the public's confidence in the world-class care they can expect to receive from the NHS.
"Furthermore it could also dampen the morale of the millions of staff who work tirelessly to help their patients.""Furthermore it could also dampen the morale of the millions of staff who work tirelessly to help their patients."
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