30 Per Cent Of Complaints About Hospitals Relate To Fundamental Aspects Of Nursing Care, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 07 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Help the Aged today responded to the 'Spotlight on Complaints' report from the Healthcare Commission. The report looks at complaints about NHS services referred on to the Commission for review between July 2006 to August 2007. It shows that complaints about a lack of basic nursing care, poor communications, overly brisk GP consultations and a lack of help for mental health service users are among the key issues patients raise.

Charlotte Potter, Senior Policy Officer at Help the Aged, said:

'Older people are the biggest users of the NHS, yet all too often receive below par treatment.

'It is astounding that 30 per cent of complaints about hospitals concerned lapses in fundamental aspects of nursing care. Nutrition, privacy and dignity, and communication should not be optional extras. It is never acceptable to be left in soiled bedding.

'It's vital that the NHS ensure that older people are fully aware of how to make a complaint, the response that they can expect and the fact that making a complaint will in no way jeopardise the care they receive in the future - the third most frequent issue raised was complaints handling.

'When an older individual gets to the point of complaining it means they feel the system has not worked for them. It is essential that trusts use this feedback to improve practice.'

For more information on the report please see http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk

Right care, Right deal' is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK's largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit http://www.rightcare.org.uk

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

Help the Aged