A review of the NHS hospitals complaints system: putting patients back in the picture This report looks at how complaints about care in NHS hospitals made by patients, their carers and representatives are listened to and acted on by hospitals. The review received 2,500 responses, the majority describing problems with the quality of treatment or care in NHS hospitals. The review panel also heard from people who had not complained because they felt the process was too confusing or they feared for their future care. The recommendations cover improving quality of care; improving the way complaints are handled; ensuring independence in the complaints procedures; and whistleblowing.
See also:
A summit for safer care Measuring safety rather than harm requires us to engage with information that will give us insight into what is currently happening and what is likely to happen. Only when we have this knowledge can we respond effectively to prevent patients from being harmed in our care, says Jo Bibby. The Health Foundation
VIDEO: Students tackle mental health stigma A scheme in the West Midlands, which has been successfully trying to combat the stigma that surrounds mental health, is about to be extended. BBC News
2015 records access promise scaled back The government's pledge for patients to have online access to their GP record by March 2015 will only require access to the brief information held on their Summary Care Record. E-Health Insider
More gene changes have role in Alzheimer's disease BBC News reports that there has been "Alzheimer's insight from DNA study". The BBC says that a clearer picture of what causes Alzheimer's disease is emerging after the largest-ever analysis of patients' DNA.
