11 June 2008
Newly appointed ‘dignity ambassador’ Sir Michael Parkinson will work to promote dignity and respect for older people in care as part of an NHS dignity campaign, a recent BBC report has announced. The campaign aims to enlist volunteers, called dignity champions, to help put patient dignity in the spotlight and improve conditions in hospitals.
In the BBC report, Sir Michael said he saw firsthand what can happen to elderly patients when his mother was in hospital. “I saw a mixture of indifference and wonderful nursing and it seems to me that there's a need for a cultural change among the people who have these old people in care" He said. According to a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) poll 8 out of 10 nurses said they had left work feeling distressed because they had been unable to treat patients with the dignity they deserve. A desire to be treated with dignity and respect in an environment that is comfortable and inviting are some of the main reasons many patients are choosing private healthcare services. Patients often feel that private hospitals will provide them with more personal privacy and respect.
A recent patient survey conducted throughout the entire HCA hospital group in London found that patient’s felt that they were treated with the utmost dignity and respect when in care at HCA hospitals. HCA provides the highest quality healthcare available, with top consultants and the latest technology, and the hospitals scored high marks on patient comfort, patient dignity and overall satisfaction.
The 68 question survey, which was answered by more than 10,000 people, asked patients to rate a wide range of hospital services and aspects of care. Nursing and consultant care were rated highly; 8 out of 10 patients were happy with the way their nurses anticipated their needs and 95% of patients received good guidance from the consultant in charge of their care. 86.3% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the control of their pain. One of the most encouraging statistics the survey revealed was that 95.6% of patients at HCA hospitals said that they were treated with the utmost dignity and respect. A major contributor to patient dignity is room facilities and HCA provides all patients with a private room. 95.8% of our patients felt the overall presentation of their room was good, very good or excellent. In room entertainment was rated as good, very good or excellent by 84.5% of patients and more than 87% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the cleanliness of their rooms.
For more information about HCA’s patient satisfaction survey please visit www.hcahospitals.co.uk/patient-information-feedback.asp
HCA is London’s largest private healthcare group. The HCA network is made up of six world-class hospitals, The Harley Street Clinic, The Wellington Hospital, The London Bridge Hospital, The Portland Hospital, The Lister Hospital and the Princess Grace Hospital, as well as four outpatient facilities conveniently located throughout London. HCA also has innovative partnerships with two leading London NHS teaching hospitals, and all of HCA’s hospitals are world renowned for compassionate care and medical innovation. With more than 3,000 consultants and the latest diagnostic and treatment technology, HCA is the private hospital group of choice for London and the UK.
