Care Quality Commission Highlights Failings in the Care of the Elderly
October 31, 2011
Posted by:Ruth Hewitt
Several hospitals and NHS trusts were named and shamed by the Care Quality Commission in a recent report on the quality of care provided to older patients.
The Commission found that 1 in 5 NHS hospitals are failing to adhere to guidelines for the care of older patients, and over half of 100 hospitals investigated did not have high enough nutritional standards. 40% of hospitals were found not to provide dignified care to older patients.
Concern over the report’s findings is expected to lead to an increase in the number of spot checks carried out by the Care Quality Commission, focusing on 50 hospitals, 150 centres housing people with learning difficulties and 500 care homes looking after older people.
The Charity Director of Age UK, Michelle Mitchell, has welcomed the increase in spot checks, saying; “Dignity and nutrition are essential standards of care and not optional extras and the fact that one in five of the 100 hospitals spot checked in the last round were breaking the law shows shocking complacency on the part of the hospitals. It is vital that we have a clearer picture of the standards of care in all hospitals and care homes, not a select few.”