Charity boss calls for more nursing support

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NURSING and social care services are ‘continually at boiling point’, the head of a Redditch based charity has warned.

Simon Knighton, chairman of Cavell Nurses’ Trust, has spoken out in the wake of the Francis report into standards at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which he said had increased the ‘unrelenting pressure’ on the system.

The ageing population, increased expectations by the public and the economic situation had all resulted in poor quality service provision, much of which nurses and care providers were unfairly shouldering the blame for, he warned.

“Following the Francis report, the first people to condemn the examples of an unforgiveable quality of care are the vast majority of nurses and care providers themselves.

“This majority are people, often underpaid and understaffed, who work selflessly and professionally in a system that appears to be continually at boiling point.

“Those of us who lead or manage our current health and social care provision today almost universally have hospitals that are full, with more than 70 per cent of the patient population being over the age of 65 and, typically, 25 to 30 per cent of that group having some form of dementia.

“Many of these could and should be better cared for in community settings but, because community and social care services have been cut over recent years instead of being reinforced, patients remain delayed in acute hospitals in beds that are badly needed for others.

“They need different styles of nursing and medical expertise from that which has been planned and staffing needs to be organised accordingly.”

He added the obvious answer for many years had been to reinforce care in the community.

Sandra Brennan, director of quality and executive lead nurse at Worcestershire Heath and Care NHS Trust, said the Francis report had highlighted organisational, management and individual failings.

“I believe the vast majority of people who enter the NHS do so to do good and to help people when they need it.

“We know that our services are safe and of high quality which is largely down to staff on the front line who are responsible for maintaining those standards, often in testing circumstances.

“We are very proud of our staff and recognise the need to support them so they can continue to deliver the very best care to patients and service users. This includes sharing the findings of the Francis Report with staff across the Trust and getting their feedback on areas we can further improve.”

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