New guidelines suggest patients should know who to turn to in hospital
English hospital patients should now have access to the name of the senior doctor responsible for their care, as well as a nurse who can answer any questions, according to draft guidelines due to be published.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have advised that the doctor’s name be displayed over or next to the patient’s bed, so that they are clearly visible.
The suggestions are a result from The Francis Report, which is investigating the accused abuse and neglect at Stafford Hospital said to result in unnecessary deaths.
Clear direction
Academy chairman Prof Terence Stephenson applauds the new guidelines, explaining to BBC News that this would give patients greater confidence in their care, as well as point the finger at “where the buck stops”.
He also said “They also know who to go to if they have questions or if they think something needs to be done differently. This is vital if we are to drive up standards of care and continue to safeguard patient safety. I think sometimes we have lost sight of who ultimately is responsible.”
Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, is more skeptical about the scheme however, claiming it would only work if the named doctor had “regular contact” with the patient, and was “not just a name on a board”. behind them.
