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ITN
Nurses concerned over patient care
Nurses concerned over patient care
A survey of nurses has revealed the majority believe a greater emphasis is needed on patient dignity.Of the more than 2,000 nurses polled for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), 86 per cent wanted dignity to be made a higher priority in the workplace and more ingrained in their day-to-day jobs.Just over three quarters of nurses agreed their organisation made the dignity of patients and clients a priority.But they also expressed frustration at having to try to overcome obstacles to providing good quality care, including pressure on beds, staff shortages, a target-led culture and carrying out non-essential paperwork.One nurse said: "Patients seem to be becoming numbers not people. I am having to fight against what the system wants in order to provide dignified care to my patients."Another nurse warned: "Staffing can be a real issue. I have worked shifts where I am the only qualified nurse looking after 16 people. When things are that against you, there is a real pressure to do things quickly."The RCN is calling for nurses to be given more time, resources and support from above to ensure every patient is treated with dignity.Its chief executive and general secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said: "Dignity should not be an after thought or an optional extra."Each and every patient - whether they are in a hospital, a GP's surgery, in the community or in a care home - deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Dignity should be integral to nursing care."This survey shows that nurses desperately want to give patients the high quality personalised and dignified care they deserve but many simply do not have the time and resources to do so."As well as making sure there are enough staff on shift, nurses need to have access to specialist equipment, such as hoists, to make sure they can lift patients in a dignified manner."Something as simple as making sure curtains fit and close properly around a bed or that gowns cover patients, can also go a long way towards giving patients the privacy they need to make them feel more comfortable."The issue of offering patients - particularly the elderly - dignified care has hit the headlines over the last year.Charities have raised concerns over issues of confidentiality, privacy and help with eating and drinking.Last August, the Joint Committee on Human Rights condemned the "shameful" treatment of elderly people in hospitals and care homes.And, in September, several NHS trusts were warned over failures to ensure older people are treated with dignity.The Healthcare Commission inspected 23 trusts who all said they complied with national standards on providing good quality care in hospital.But checks revealed that some were falling short in areas like nutrition and ensuring privacy, including the provision of locks on washing rooms or toilets.
ITN | April 27, 2008
