NHS patients not consulted enough during treatment, says survey

Many NHS patients are not involved enough in decisions about their care and so cannot give meaningful consent to treatment, according to the Healthcare Commission.

Over 300,000 patients were asked about their experiences in 568 English NHS trusts for five commission the surveys published today.

The surveys deal with the ambulance service, young hospital patients (under 18 years), the mental health service, adult inpatients and patients in primary care trusts.

The Healthcare Commission said it had particular concerns about information for patients and involvement of them in planning their care - especially in the services for people with mental illness.

Many patients, particularly adults, are being discharged from hospital without enough information about how to cope at home, the commission said.

A consistent positive theme across the NHS was the patients’ high opinion of the care they receive. They say they have trust and confidence in the clinical staff, they are listened to and they are treated with respect and dignity, the commissio said.

The Healthcare Commission’s Chairman, Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, said: “In general, patients have given a ‘thumbs up’ to the care they receive from the NHS. However, those patients who do not feel completely involved in decisions about their care and treatment are not able to consent to treatment in any meaningful sense.

“While there has been a great improvement in communication between NHS staff and their patients there is still much to be done to ensure that patients understand the information they are given and can influence decisions."

(gmcg)