UK's Biggest Professional Health Regulator Publishes New Guidance For The Care Of Older People

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 18 Mar 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the body responsible for regulating the 660,000 registered nurses and midwives in the UK, has published new guidance to support nurses in delivering expert and compassionate care for older people.

The guidance is supported by key organisations including the Department of Health, Help the Aged, the Patient's Association, For Dementia and Action on Elder Abuse. It reflects the views of older people and carers across the UK that the needs of older people are not always being met when it comes to the care they receive. The guidance can be used by employers to measure performance and is underpinned by the NMC Code of Conduct to help nurses provide safe, effective care, in a way that ensures an older person's dignity and demonstrates respect.

Research commissioned by the NMC shows that less than half the population (46% ) currently thinks that older people are treated with enough dignity and respect when being cared for in hospitals and nursing homes.

The NMC wants to ensure the public has the confidence to report poor care as soon as it happens. Most people who said they wouldn't report poor care said it was because they either wouldn't want to make a fuss or didn't expect compassion from a nurse.

In addition to guidance for nurses, the NMC has also produced a leaflet for the public. Care and respect every time was developed to help older people, their families and carers understand what level of care they should expect and how to challenge poor care. The leaflet will be available in English and Welsh, large print and as an audio file.

Kathy George, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said: "Our primary role is to protect the health and wellbeing of the public and older people can be particularly vulnerable. Most of our nurses provide excellent care but unfortunately there are instances where some older people are not receiving the care they deserve. This Guidance will help support nurses in providing those elements of care that older people have told us make a real difference to their overall experience."

Ruth Chauhan, author of the guidance and NMC project lead, Care of Older People, said: "We have listened carefully to what older people have told us. Not surprisingly it is the human elements of care including friendliness, discreet and timely help - for example with eating or with hygiene - and being made to feel safe which are important. This guidance reiterates the importance of common sense which sometimes gets forgotten."

The new guidance is also being supported by well-known people including Clive Swift, Amanda Waring, Maureen Lipman, Deborah Moggach and former television presenter, Dame Joan Bakewell who commented: "The NMC's new guidance for the care of older people gives confidence to those who need to feel secure in the care of others. The guidance shows the caring values, attitudes and skills that can be expected from nurses. We owe a debt of gratitude to the professionalism of nurses and the high values they strive for."

Notes

1. How to identify good nursing care for older people
Use this checklist to ensure that you, someone you know or care for is receiving good quality nursing care:

1. Do I get help when I ask for it?
2. Do the nurses care about me - not just for me?
3. Are nurses courteous and respectful?
4. Do I feel valued as an individual?
5. Am I, or someone who knows what I would want, involved when decisions are being made about my care and treatment?
6. Do I get help to eat and drink when I need it?
7. Do I get pain relief when I need it?
8. Are my hygiene and continence needs met?
9. Do I feel safe and secure?
10. Do nurses notice when I am upset or distressed?

If you answer no to any of these questions, and have concerns about the nursing care that you or someone you know has received, you should tell someone. The best person to talk to is the person in charge of the nursing team. If you feel unable to raise your concerns with them and would prefer to talk to someone independent, get in touch with the Nursing & Midwifery Council on 020 7333 9333.

2. About the NMC

The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, nursing and midwifery. To be eligible to work as a nurse or midwife in the UK, they must be registered with the NMC. There are currently more than 660,000 nurses and midwives on the register.

Source
Nursing & Midwifery Council