Patient focus updates - 21 March 2013

New policy, guidance and initiatives from across the UK that focus on the patient perspective and experience. For more information about this theme see Quality and Safety eBulletin: Patient focus.

Some of the resources linked to are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.

DH: Review of NHS complaints system. A review aimed at ensuring that all hospitals listen to and act upon the concerns of patients has been launched. The review will be led by Ann Clwyd, MP for Cynon Valley, and Professor Tricia Hart, Chief Executive of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and advisor to Robert Francis during his two inquiries into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. It will engage with patients and their carers and representatives, staff and managers to hear and understand their experience of the way trusts manage and act on concerns and complaints.

DH: Local Healthwatch regulations explained. The Local Government Association and the Department of Health have jointly published a document to help local Healthwatch audiences understand the legal requirements that have been set out in regulations. It aims to explain and provide clarity in relation to the following issues: lay person and volunteer involvement in local Healthwatch and; restrictions on activities of a political nature.

Diabetes UK: The type 1 essentials for children and young people. "Only six per cent of children and young people, whose checks are being recorded, are getting all of the recommended diabetes care, services and support they are entitled to". As a result over 85 per cent of children and young people over the age of 12 have blood glucose levels higher than the recommended targets. This guide has been designed to help make clearer to parents what good care looks like and inform them what they can do if their child isn't getting the appropriate care.

King's Fund blog: Will a single rating for hospitals limit or support patient. "Even if they do have the opportunity to choose, different patients value different things. While many put safety and effectiveness of clinical care before location/ proximity and patient experience, in reality most choose to go local. A summative rating gives weightings that reflect the values of those constructing it, not necessarily the information valuable to patients".

National Voices: After Francis: doing justice. National Voices issues this report on NHS Change Day. The report demands a proper response to the Francis report and highlights some of the urgent change that are needed. These include a legal duty of honesty so that hospitals and other NHS bodies must tell patients and their families if harm has been done. It also calls for: an end to “gagging” clauses for departing staff; new whistle-blowing protection rights for patients and their families; a new legal right for patients to participate in producing a care plan. 

People Matters Network: Patient and public engagement: still an aspiration? Engaging with patients and public is vital if NHS and social care organisations are to achieve outcomes, improve quality of services and strengthen bonds with local communities. Primary Care Commissioning (PCC) and People Matters Network have developed this survey of attitudes and opinions across the NHS. The results will be shared with participants to help them to identify possible gaps and develop their engagement strategies.

Scottish Government: Patient stories online. Patients are now able to share their experience of using Scotland’s health services online as part of the independent not-for-profit website Patient Opinion following a £160,000 roll out across health boards including the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).
BBC: Patient Opinion website for rating NHS endorsed.

Scottish Government: Family doctors to get Scotland active. Family doctors are set to help patients get healthier by highlighting the many benefits of physical activity. New ‘brief interventions’ will ask patients about their levels of physical activity and offer advice and follow-up support if appropriate, in the same way as already happens across the NHS for smoking and alcohol.

Welsh Government: The Patients' Voice - strengthening the role of Community Health Councils in Wales. The review of the functions and role of Community Health Councils (CHCs) suggested more can be done to ensure they operate effectively and efficiently to make the best use of the talents and resources available.