“We are encouraged by the small improvements being made in cleanliness and mixed sex accommodation. But they do not excuse the fact that patients are reporting that they are waiting longer to be treated and are not being given the help and support they need from ward staff. Last week we published our report on waiting times which found that waiting times increased by 6% last year and that thousands fewer operation took place. How can the Department of Health continue to claim that waiting times are stable when thousands of patients are saying they are waiting for longer to be seen?  It’s not enough just to attack every report or survey  that disagrees with you as inaccurate. The Department needs to be open, transparent, and respond to critical reports with robust action to tackle the problems.  It is also a disgrace that more patients are not being given help with eating and support on the wards. This is why we launched our CARE campaign, which focuses on the fundamentals of care. The CQC and the Department of Health must work together to ensure that all patients receive the highest standards of care at all times.”

Note to Editors

• 1.       The Patients Association is a campaigning charity, listening to patients and speaking up for change. It has been working for nearly 50 years to make sure that the patient voice is heard and listened to by policy makers.
• 2.       The NHS Inpatient survey was carried out in behalf of the Care Quality Commission by the Picker Institute
• 3.       To find out more about the Inpatient Survey, please click here - http://www.cqc.org.uk/public/reports-surveys-and-reviews/surveys/inpatient-survey-2011
• 4.       The Patients Association launched the Care Campaign in November 2011. The Care campaign aims to drive improvements in patient care across the UK.

Care stands for:              C – communicate with compassion

                                        A – assist with toileting, ensuring dignity

                                        R – relieve pain effectively

                                        E – encourage adequate nutrition

 The Care Challenge is that as a minimum, all patients should get assistance when they call for help, encouragement to eat and drink, assistance with going to the toilet, and have their pain addressed

For more information please visit http://patients-association.com/Default.aspx?tabid=237

• 5.       For further information please contact the Patients Association on 02084239111 or on 07779004898 if outside of the hours 9-5.30pm.
• 6.       To see more information on the Patients Association care campaign visit www.patients-association.com