Two fifths of hospital patients (42%) were delayed in being discharged from hospital, a large Care Quality Commission (CQC) patient survey has revealed.
Over three quarters (77%) of patients said they were always well looked after during their hospital stay, but over two fifths (42%) said there were delays with being discharged from hospital, with the main reason for this being the wait for medicines (in 61% of cases).
Two fifths of hospital patients (42%) were delayed in being discharged from hospital, a large Care Quality Commission (CQC) patient survey has revealed.
Over three quarters (77%) of patients said they were always well looked after during their hospital stay, but over two fifths (42%) said there were delays with being discharged from hospital, with the main reason for this being the wait for medicines (in 61% of cases).
The survey is based on the replies of more than 59,000 people who stayed in one of 154 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England for at least one night during June, July or August 2014.
Professor Edward Baker, deputy chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC said: “Despite the pressures facing the NHS, many patients are reporting positive experiences about their care. The survey demonstrates the significant variation between the best and worst performing trusts.
“The results match the findings from CQC’s inspections which highlight the variation between trusts, and even between services within trusts. I strongly urge senior staff to review their results to see where improvements can be made as every patient deserves to receive the best possible care,” he said.
Overall the majority (84%) of respondents rated their overall experience as seven or higher out of ten, with about one in four people rating it ten out of ten, however the main problems seemed to be delays and a shortage of staff.
Of those who used the call bell, almost one in five (18%) said that they experienced waits of over five minutes before they got help. One per cent never got the help requested and 40% of patients said there were ‘sometimes or rarely or never’ enough nurses on duty to care for them.
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “These results show that patients are feeling the impact of low staffing levels, and that is unacceptable.
“The solution to this is simple, but cannot happen overnight. Hospitals know the importance of staffing levels, and are forced to rely on overseas and agency staff because we are not training enough nurses in the UK.
“The Government and Health Education England must urgently explore the options available for increasing nurse training places this year. Patients’ concerns must not be ignored,” he said.
