Responding to today’s report from the Care Quality Commission, the state of care in NHS acute hospitals, Professor Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said:
“Today’s Care Quality Commission report highlights the variations in the quality of hospital care and services across England, highlighting many examples of good practice yet underlining the concerns shared by many of us working in the NHS England.
“Safety clearly remains a key area of concern with the strain on many hospitals increasing to dangerous levels due to the combination of workforce and financial pressures coupled with ever-increasing demand.
“Change is needed but meaningful change is achievable. We see many examples of good practice around the country that are continually improving patient care and we would like to see a genuine dialogue and sharing of best practice between Government and those delivering care to create an environment that supports all those working within the NHS.
“The report recognises that improvements can be made with strong leadership and by adopting a learning culture. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland’s “Prevention through Learning” initiative is looking at how this change can be brought about more widely to deliver greater openness, innovation and, ultimately, a reduction in failings in care.
“We know that the level of care and commitment provided by staff is vital to successful operation of the NHS and must continue to be recognised.
“This College has called on the Government to set up a working group involving the Royal Colleges, healthcare practitioners, patients, the public, and politicians as a matter of urgency to find solutions to alleviate the pressures faced across the NHS. Only through good planning and the recruitment and retention of high quality professional staff can we deliver the best quality care safely.”
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Contact: Lisa Rooke l.rooke@rcpe.ac.uk 0131 247 3688
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