22.11.12
Patients ‘let down by the NHS’ – Patients Association
The Patients Association has called for “decisive action” to address “appalling” cases of neglect, published in its new report.
The dossier of 13 cases highlights patients left in pain, without food and water, a lack of help going to the toilet and poor communication with families.
The report focuses mainly on hospital care, ahead of a report by the Care Quality Commission into how trusts are failing to maintain essential standards, due tomorrow.
Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy (pictured above) said: “The sad conclusion of this report is that still 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.”
NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar called the stories in the report “shocking and deeply distressing”.
He said: “We should never excuse poor standards of care and we need to take bold and decisive action when we see it happening. Improving dignified care is everyone's responsibility, from ward staff right up to board level.
“We will continue to bring together leaders in the health and care home sector through our joint Dignity Commission to learn from good care as well as bad, and help stamp out these shocking examples of poor care.”
The report is at: http://tinyurl.com/PatientsAssociation
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