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| Call for improved hospital stays | Call for improved hospital stays |
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| The NHS still has a long way to go to ensure hospital stays are as good as they should be, the regulator says. | The NHS still has a long way to go to ensure hospital stays are as good as they should be, the regulator says. |
| The Care Quality Commission poll of more than 72,000 people showed that 93% of patients in England rated care as good, very good or excellent overall. | The Care Quality Commission poll of more than 72,000 people showed that 93% of patients in England rated care as good, very good or excellent overall. |
| But the survey also revealed they continue to be frustrated by the so-called softer aspects of care such as food, noise and delays. | But the survey also revealed they continue to be frustrated by the so-called softer aspects of care such as food, noise and delays. |
| The regulator said these problems had dogged the NHS for the past few years. | The regulator said these problems had dogged the NHS for the past few years. |
| Nearly one in five said they were not getting enough help eating meals - the same proportion as when the annual patient survey started in 2002. | Nearly one in five said they were not getting enough help eating meals - the same proportion as when the annual patient survey started in 2002. |
| It is a great shame that the NHS has not managed to get a stronger grip on these issues when patients have been highlighting them for so long Cynthia Bower, of the Care Quality Commission | It is a great shame that the NHS has not managed to get a stronger grip on these issues when patients have been highlighting them for so long Cynthia Bower, of the Care Quality Commission |
| Some 14% rated food as poor, while more than a third said they were bothered by noise at night. | Some 14% rated food as poor, while more than a third said they were bothered by noise at night. |
| On answering call buttons, 15% said they had to wait longer than five minutes and 2% said it was not answered at all. | On answering call buttons, 15% said they had to wait longer than five minutes and 2% said it was not answered at all. |
| Delays were also noted in discharge, mainly because of problems getting hold of medicines, and many said they were not being involved enough in decisions about their care. | Delays were also noted in discharge, mainly because of problems getting hold of medicines, and many said they were not being involved enough in decisions about their care. |
| The problems meant that nearly one in 10 people said they had wanted to complain about their care. | The problems meant that nearly one in 10 people said they had wanted to complain about their care. |
| CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: "Patients are clearly highlighting some persistent problems. | CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: "Patients are clearly highlighting some persistent problems. |
| "It is a great shame that the NHS has not managed to get a stronger grip on these issues when patients have been highlighting them for so long." | "It is a great shame that the NHS has not managed to get a stronger grip on these issues when patients have been highlighting them for so long." |
| Progress | Progress |
| But she said staff should be praised for the progress that has been made in other areas. | But she said staff should be praised for the progress that has been made in other areas. |
| As well as a slight year-on-year rise in overall care, patients also reported improvements in infection prevention. | As well as a slight year-on-year rise in overall care, patients also reported improvements in infection prevention. |
| Some 95% described their room or wards as clean and three quarters said as far as they were aware doctors and nurses always washed their hands between touching patients. | Some 95% described their room or wards as clean and three quarters said as far as they were aware doctors and nurses always washed their hands between touching patients. |
| The poll also illustrated the challenge facing the health service over mixed sex accommodation. | The poll also illustrated the challenge facing the health service over mixed sex accommodation. |
| In January, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced a six-month intensive drive to "all but eliminate" the problem. | In January, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced a six-month intensive drive to "all but eliminate" the problem. |
| But one in 10 patients told the regulator that they had to share sleeping areas with someone from the opposite sex. | But one in 10 patients told the regulator that they had to share sleeping areas with someone from the opposite sex. |
| Health Minister Ann Keen said the high overall rating was a "testament to the hard work and dedication" of staff. | |
| But she added: "We will be focussing on those areas where there is still more to do and ensuring that patients experience a high quality of service across all aspects of healthcare." |