Social Care News

Fifth of hospitals in England not treating elderly with dignity

The Care Quality Commission has found that fewer hospitals in England are treating older people with dignity than in previous years.

Nearly a fifth of hospitals are failing to offer dignity in caring for their older patients or offer them the respect or privacy they need.

The findings come after a dedicated review into dignity, privacy and nutrition carried out by the CQC during 2012.

CQC inspectors visited 50 hospitals in 2012.

It said "disappointingly fewer" hospitals were respecting people's privacy and dignity – 82% last year (2012), compared with 88% of the 100 hospitals inspected in 2011. Nearly one in five was not treating elderly patients as well as it should.

The CQC also inspected 500 care homes and found 84% respected people's privacy and dignity and 83% met their nutritional needs. 

'Good care is not complex or time-consuming'

The CQC chief executive, David Behan, said: "We found good care and care that had improved. However, it is disappointing people are still not being given enough privacy when receiving personal care and that they are left alone when they call for help.

"This is basic care and getting it right can transform a stressful experience for an older person into a supportive and caring one. Safe, good-quality care is not complex or time-consuming. Effective leadership and staff who feel supported make this happen every day. We want services to learn from the best."

Read the CQC's findings here

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