I read with interest the news story breaking today with reference to the independent inquiry into the levels of care provided to patients by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.
The inquiry, held in private over recent months, heard evidence from over 900 patients and relatives. In his report, Robert Francis QC makes 18 recommendations for the Trust, following findings of “routine neglect”, including patients being left in soiled sheets or unwashed, and not being provided with adequate food and drink.
Failings were identified at all levels of management, with particular criticism levelled at the apparent priority of meeting Government targets and cost cutting rather than focussing on patient care and wellbeing.
The recommendation of a further independent examination of regulatory and monitoring issues is to be welcomed, though to what extent this will make a difference remains to be seen. It can only be hoped that standards of care do not fall to such unacceptable levels as have been seen by the publication of this report.
Submitted by Arti Shah
