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Wide variations in NHS care exposed

14/05/2008

The varying standards of care on offer across the NHS have been laid bare by a hard-hitting new report.

Health service watchdog the Healthcare Commission has reported massive fluctuations in patient satisfaction in a survey of 76,000 adult inpatients at 165 English hospital trusts.

Ministers have claimed they are pleased with the survey's results, which saw 92 per cent of patients rate overnight care as "excellent".

But Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said the government had to back up its claim it wanted the NHS to be receptive towards patients' concerns.

She said the survey showed some NHS hospitals were "struggling to deliver" on basic areas and pointed to one trust where just one in four inpatients rated the care offered as excellent.

"There are striking variations in performance in key areas such as providing single-sex accommodation and giving people help when they need it. Those performing poorly must learn from those who perform well," she explained.

"It's crucial that trusts take this information on board. The patient voice must be heard loudly on the boards of trusts across the country."

Responding to the survey's findings, health minister Ann Keen insisted the government was not becoming complacent towards advances in the NHS.

"This survey gives a real insight into what patients think about their care, with many reporting high levels of trust in NHS staff, high standards of care and high rates of cleanliness during their stay in hospital," Ms Keen said.

"We will continue to listen to patients and work on those areas where improvements need to continue."