Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, is supporting the Patients Association’s call for a review of basic training and dignity standards across the NHS.

Although Mr Turner has received very few complaints about care received at St Mary’s Hospital on the Island, he is aware that there is a bigger national picture which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The recommendation is contained within a recently published report entitled ‘Patients Not Numbers, People Not Statistics’. Based around accounts of substandard hospital experiences, it highlights numerous examples of bad hygiene, under-training and a lack of basic care. Patients were often left in unnecessary distress as a result. A lack of sensitivity on the part of a small number of NHS staff was also highlighted. The Patients Association has condemned this maltreatment as “cruel and demeaning”. Further proposals in the report involve improved complaints procedures and an increased role for the Care Quality Commission.

Mr Turner said:
“The examples of neglect brought to light by the Patients Association represent a significant failure on the part of a small minority of doctors, nurses and auxiliaries. If even a basic standard of care had been delivered, many of the problems noted in the report could be avoided. It is especially troubling that a large proportion of the cases involved elderly patients. The actions of some NHS staff have robbed these people of their dignity.

“Even a small number of staff behaving in this manner demands immediate action. I wholeheartedly support the recommendations detailed in the report – the Department of Health must urgently start an NHS–wide review of standards in hospitals. Staff should also be empowered better to hold colleagues to account.”

Mr Turner continued:
“It is clear that the majority of NHS staff uphold the highest professional standards. However, malpractice may be more widespread than has been previously realised. The percentage of patients unsatisfied with their care has remained steady at 2% between 2002 and 2008. This is despite the vast sums spent by the Government over that period.”


END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808