RCN: patients deserve dignified care

Published: 12 March 2013

It is distressing for dementia patients to be admitted to hospital with a condition which could have been avoided by early intervention, the Royal College of Nursing has said.

The comments were made in response to the new market report issued by the Care Quality Commission, which states the health and care system in England is struggling to look after people with dementia.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said the report sounds more alarm bells about the growing impact caring for dementia patients is having on health and social care services.

“People with dementia are among the most vulnerable in our society and the RCN believes specialist nurses are needed to overcome many of the problems identified,” he said.

The RCN is also seriously concerned by the finding of reduced staffing levels for learning disability and mental health services over the last two years.

“High quality, dignified care must never be seen as an optional extra. It is simply what every patient, with every condition, deserves,” added Dr Carter.