NHS inpatient survey – our response
08 April 2014
Jocelyn Cornwell, Director of The Point of Care Foundation, commenting on the results of the NHS Inpatient Survey (2013) published today, said:
“It is encouraging to see overall improvement in the results of this year’s survey of NHS hospital patients, especially considering the stresses hospital staff are currently under. But too many of the results are still too low, and there is still a way to go before patients feel they are getting the support, information and respect that they need and deserve.
“It’s disappointing that nearly half who responded to the survey could not say that they were ‘definitely’ involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment.
“It’s rude to talk in front of others as if they were not there, yet nearly one in five patients reported that nurses sometimes do this, and this increased to one in four with doctors.
“It’s sad that almost a quarter of patients reported that they were not able to find anyone to talk to about their worries and fears.
“More frustratingly, it’s not as if we don’t know what should be done. Research has shown that when staff feel supported and engaged in their work, patient experience improves. A clear articulation of values; regular, well-structured appraisals and creating space for staff to reflect on the challenges of patient care all help to create a more positive healthcare environment.”
Notes to editors:
The Point of Care Foundation published Staff Care, How to engage staff in the NHS and why it matters and an accompanying press release in January 2014.
The Point of Care Foundation is an independent charity working to improve patients’ experience of care and increase support for the staff who work with them. It grew out of the work of the Point of Care programme at The King’s Fund (2007-2013), which was led by the Foundation’s Director Jocelyn Cornwell.
www.pointofcarefoundation.org.uk
For further information please contact us on 0203 841 5570