Tag Archives: 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.
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.
Free NHS helpline for whistlblowers launching 1st January 2012
NHS whistleblowers helpline due to be launched
A free helpline for whistleblowers in the NHS and social services is to be launched on Sunday.
The move is part of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s drive to ensure staff can raise “genuine concerns” about standards “without fear of reprisal”.
But a whistleblowers’ group said the announcement was an “admission of failure” that existing internal processes were not working.
The helpline – 08000 724 725 – will be provided by the Royal Mencap Society.
It will operate Monday to Friday between 0800 GMT and 1800 GMT, and there also be an out-of-hours answering service at weekends and bank holidays.
More patients to be treated by NHS staff at home
NHS Confederation: Hospital-based care ‘must change’
The NHS in England must end the “hospital-or-bust” attitude to medical care, says the body representing health service trusts.
At least one in four patients would be better off being treated by NHS staff at home, figures suggest.
