Category Archives: hospital

Report to improve the quality of patient care

NHS Future Forum calls on healthcare professionals to lead way on patient-centred care

January 10, 2012

Steve Field The NHS Future Forum has given its second set of reports to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley in which it sets out a series of recommendations to improve the quality of patient care and achieve better outcomes.

Future Forum Chair Professor Steve Field said:

‘We are making robust and ambitious recommendations to the NHS and to Government. We have heard an enormous amount of support for the shift to patient-centred care but also frustration that this has not yet been achieved. This must now become a reality for patients across England and health and social care professionals must lead the way.’

Elderly patients are being discharged too early from hospital?

More than half of hospital beds cut were for elderly patients

More than half of hospital beds cut in the past year were for elderly patients as NHS cost-cutting drives take a disproportionate toll on older people, according to new figures.

By Donna Bowater and Sarah Rainey

Experts have warned that elderly patients are being discharged too early, putting their health at risk and increasing the likelihood of them being readmitted to hospital.

Concerns over care have been ‘hidden’ to avoid rows, says David Cameron

Politicians have “hidden away” concerns about the quality of care in NHS hospitals because they are too respectful of nurses, David Cameron has said.

By James Kirkup, Deputy Political Editor, and Matthew Holehouse

6:30AM GMT 07 Jan 2012

 

The Prime Minister said that he and other leaders had been too wary of criticising standards of care for fear of rows with nurses.

But “chilling” evidence of poor care for elderly patients meant that it was time to “speak up” about standards.

Mr Cameron, who visited hospitals in the North West yesterday, called for changes in the way nurses do their jobs.