New Report Shows How Hard Doctors Are Working To Benefit Patients, UK

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 14 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Chairman of the BMA's Consultants' Committee, Dr Jonathan Fielden, said today (Wednesday 14 May 2008) that the Healthcare Commission's largely positive survey of in-patients in English NHS hospitals, is testament to the dedication and hard work of all health professionals.

Dr Fielden commented:

"It is excellent to see a substantial increase in the number of patients rating their care with top marks since the last survey. I am particularly pleased to note the increased recognition of team working between doctors and nurses.

"Issues like waiting times, quality of food and mixed-sex sleeping areas are important to patients and it is positive that improvements are being made on these fronts though there is still more that could be done. However, we still need a better way to measure clinical outcomes to aid real informed patient choice. Without the hard work and clinical engagement of health professionals it is impossible to improve patient care, so the results of this survey demonstrate how much doctors and all healthcare professionals give to the health service and their patients.

"We now have to encourage the less well performing Trusts to learn from the top scoring hospitals so that all patients can have a positive experience. Empowering clinicians locally, removing the perversions of the target culture and delivering real partnership working with patients is the way to ensure the highest quality care for all."

British Medical Association