30.01.12
Delays to improvements at Welsh hospitals
Welsh hospitals are too slow to implement improvements, the Board of Community Health councils in Wales suggests. The recent Hospital Patient Environment report has also revealed several concerns about the quality of hospitals inWales.
The Hospital Patient Environment report revealed that seven health boards have yet to complete 55% of the actions required in the 2010 report.
Additionally, ongoing problems were uncovered with smoking outside buildings, inadequate signage, problems contacting security staff, availability of hearing induction loops for the hard of hearing and adherence to protected mealtimes.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have noted the findings of the report into the Hospital Patient Environment by the Board of Community Health Councils and recognise that most the hospital areas inspected were rated as satisfactory or highly satisfactory. We will work closely with Local Health Boards to ensure that issues that have been highlighted in the report as having room for further improvement are tackled, within the available resources.”
Gareth Williams, author of the report and information officer at the Board of Community Health Councils inWales, told WalesOnline.co.uk: “There’s been a decline in the percentage of actions followed through. CHC members identify areas of concern and raise them with the health boards with the expectation that they will be resolved in a timely manner. But some 55% are still outstanding and haven’t been addressed.
“Research shows the hospital environment plays a big role in a patient’s recovery – if patients are in nice, clean environments, it vastly aids their recovery. With issues such as litter outside A&E or smoking outdoors, even though it doesn’t directly affect treatment and care, it is an area of concern for patients.”
Image: Paul Swansen
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