Dignified Care?

14.3.11

Older People's Commissioner for Wales demands change to the treatment of older people in hospitals

The treatment of some older people in Welsh hospitals is “shamefully inadequate”. That is the message today (14 March 2011) from  Ruth Marks, Older People's Commissioner for Wales, as she publishes a major report into her review of the experiences of older people in hospital in Wales.

The Commissioner calls for ‘fundamental change’ to ensure that older people are always treated with dignity and respect when they are in hospital. She also reminds health organisations of the legal powers invested in the Older People’s Commissioner to effect necessary change.

A Panel of Inquiry, chaired by Dame Deirdre Hine, was set up to gather evidence through hospital visits and written evidence. 

They found examples of poor practice, including not helping someone to go to the toilet, ignoring people’s privacy and not communicating well with patients:

“I don’t know why I am here. I don’t know what is wrong with me or what they are doing about it. I don’t know when I will be able to go home. I feel trapped.” (Patient)

They also found that older people have very low expectations of what to expect in terms of dignity and respect in hospital.

There were positive examples including effective ward leadership and older people telling us how much they appreciate good care:  “...the nurses and doctors were so polite and spent time talking to me.

"They offered me choices and listened to me. They treated me as a person and not just as a patient.” (Patient)

Dame Deirdre commented: “It is imperative that the dignity and respect with which older patients are treated is at the forefront of the minds of all who manage and staff our hospitals in Wales. Attitudes and practices that assault the dignity and self esteem of older people at a time when they are most anxious and vulnerable must be stopped.”

The report, entitled “Dignified Care?” details a series of recommendations, including the need to change the culture of caring for older people in Welsh hospitals by:

1. Empowering ward managers to run their wards in a way that enhances dignity and respect
2. Equipping staff to support people with dementia
3. Prioritising continence care
4. Ensuring consultations between patients and clinical staff are held in private

Other recommendations include creating the sort of hospital environment which promotes greater dignity and respect and looking at whether there are sufficient numbers of the right kinds of staff to care properly for older people in Wales.

Ruth Marks said: “Fundamental change is needed to prevent what is sometimes shamefully inadequate care and treatment.  

"Poor practice must never be tolerated.  The attitudes, behaviour and sensitivity of staff on the wards are crucial.  We need strong, positive leadership at all levels and a system which builds in dignity and respect as the cornerstone of high quality care.”

“There are examples of effective leadership and good practice and it is vital these are built on and become the norm.   I am encouraged by efforts to improve standards of care.  They demonstrate what is possible and should play a key part in bringing about wider change.  The Health Boards and Trust must now tell me what they are going to do to address my recommendations.”

The Health Boards and Trust covered under the Review now have three months to respond to the recommendations.  Using the Commissioner’s legal powers5 the organisations subject to recommendations in the report are required to respond in writing by 14 June 2011.