the Patients’ association
“We welcome this vision. We have campaigned over the last few years for a renewed focus on the fundamentals of care, and the need for these to be delivered properly. Assistance with eating and drinking, good communication, access to adequate pain relief and helping patients to go to the toilet are absolutely key parts of the day to duties of a nurse on a ward. However patients and relatives continue to tell us via our helpline that they are being let down in these key areas.
“It is right that nurses are now trained to a higher level than ever before, but compassion and dignity should be vital components of that training. Once nurses have qualified they need to be supported and monitored throughout.“