NHS Confederation welcomes healthcare for all report
Tuesday, 29 July, 2008
Commenting on the publication of Sir Jonathan Michael’s report, Healthcare for All, Steve Barnett, Acting Chief Executive at the NHS Confederation, which represents over 95% of NHS organisations, said:
“We welcome the publication of Sir Jonathan Michael’s important report and his comprehensive recommendations. The NHS completely accepts the need to urgently address poor practice building on what is known about good quality care.
“MENCAP’s report, Death by Indifference with the tragic cases it recounted revealed unacceptable care and made very difficult reading for anyone involved in the delivery of healthcare.
“We must get to the heart of how NHS organisations, clinicians and other staff engage with patients and vulnerable individuals. This will require a change in culture, not just policy. We agree with Sir Jonathan’s analysis that the legislative framework is already in place and the issues are deeper.
“Bringing about the wider culture change is a clear leadership agenda – the challenge for boards is to ensure providing first class services for people with learning disabilities is a fundamental part of the service they offer. We believe that listening to people with learning disabilities and staff training and awareness are two key areas to address. NHS organisations which offer the best services actively seek out and learn from the needs of the people they serve, including those with learning disabilities. NHS employers recognise there is a need for increased understanding of learning disability issues amongst healthcare staff and therefore support recommendations to increase staff training and awareness.”
“The NHS Confederation will be studying the report carefully and we will identify specific work we can take forward with our members to spread learning and good practice.”
Foundation Trust Network director Sue Slipman said:
“In our evidence to the enquiry, the Foundation Trust Network highlighted examples of best practice among Foundation Trusts. We suggested building up twinning arrangements between boards of acute and mental health Foundation Trusts, which was reflected in the report’s recommendations. We will be working with our members to ensure this work and the report’s other recommendations are taken forward”
