Dismay as watchdogs see doctors treating patients
Liberton Hospital is the first NHS Lothian facility to get the new inspections
HEALTH bosses have raised serious concerns over hospital inspections in which doctors are observed treating patients.
Members of the NHS Lothian Board said they feared the inspections could intrude on patient privacy and lead to wide-ranging conclusions being drawn from a small number of observations. They have also queried the level of training of the inspectors.
The scheme being operated by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) focuses on care of older people in hospital. The first inspection in the Lothians will take place at Liberton Hospital on December 8 and 9. In due course, similar inspections will be carried out on elderly care services at all acute hospitals in the Lothians.
Previously, hospital inspections focused only on cleanliness and infection prevention, but under the new inspections, hospital medical staff and patients will be observed.
At a meeting of the NHS board held last week, nurse director Melanie Hornett said they would involve: “Direct observation of care delivery, discussions with patients and their families, discussions with staff and review of clinical documentation and observation of the environment.”
She added: “There are also issues about how intrusive the inspection may be in terms of patient care delivery.”
Dr Alison McCallum, director of public health and health policy, said she had received assurances over the issue of confidentiality but was worried about conclusions being drawn from a small number of observations.
She said: “The number of people that can do it in the right way and can analyse this kind of data and provide robust analysis of its meanings is very small. I remain very, very concerned that we’re asking staff who have had very limited training to undertake something that normally takes a number of years to learn.”
And chief executive James Barbour told the board that it might find itself dealing with staff issues never before raised by inspectors.
He said: “These inspections, as I understand them, may well generate issues regarding the behaviours and professionalism of individual clinical professionals and they will have to be pursued at that level. That clearly raises issues.
“It will be difficult to generalise from the particular to system-wide issues. ”
A spokesman for Healthcare Improvement Scotland said: “We were directed by the Scottish Government to inspect the care of older people in NHS hospitals within Scotland.
“This is an extremely important set of inspections to independently ensure that the care of older people within our hospitals is the best it can be.
“The planned inspection process has been informed by clinicians with the appropriate expertise and will be undertaken by inspectors experienced at inspecting within health environments.
“Test inspections have been undertaken to ensure that the inspection process is robust and thorough.
“Patient and staff confidentiality will be an integral part of the process.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Alan Pattullo: Dignity, not sanctimony, is required at Parkhead
- 300 jobs at risk as Ryanair axes five Edinburgh routes
- Suzanne Pilley trial: I kissed her goodbye then never saw her again, says would-be lover
- Rangers administration: Craig Whyte’s promise to step aside and hand Rangers over to fans ‘ludicrous’
- David Cameron is playing into the SNP’s hands, says Michael Forsyth
- Scottish independence: Spectre of border controls raised by top Tory
- David Cameron is playing into the SNP’s hands, says Michael Forsyth
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond hits back at Tory ‘Bourbons’ in battle over devo-max
- Scottish independence: Anti-Scottish jibes boost separation, Michael Gove warns Right
- Scottish independence: Let Scotland vote on independence in 19 months, says Michael Moore
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: West
Comments
There are 8 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Digory
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 05:21 PMOver the last few years there has been a "free for all" in which comments are made and bits of paper provided to all and sundry. Indeed in this area I would go so far as to say that if there is the possibility that you or your family are the victim of a crime the Public Services will bend over backwards to help the other party.
Digory
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 05:16 PMI live in another part of Scotland. I was not at all surprised to read about the patient who was stalked by a cleaner I was simply surprised that anyone took any notice. For some years I have referred to the fact that there has been a clear pattern of disruption and interference with patients in this area. Whilst it can also be difficult to clarify basic information or basic records seem to go missing over the last few years increasing levels of gossip and Misinformation are making their way into Mainstream Records and becoming part of matters. I have also had a man operating (in another part of Scotland where I have never lived) under the auspices of Scottish Enterprise - who I have never met claim to be in possession of a "history" about me and comment in writing and in person about this elsewhere.
Edinburghman
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 06:01 PMmrflint - lets see you volunteering for you to see your doctor when ill with an audience watching. Go on then......... Enjoy!
Edinburghman
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 05:59 PMI think the point is that all patients deserve their privacy and dignity - even the older ones. Would you like some inspector to see your medical records or to see your assessment or treatment bu your doctor? I think most of us would want our privacy. that's the point here. I think it completely reasonable that the NHS raises these concerns. They are not objecting to inspections but looking for clarification on how the patients dignity and privacy will be respected in my view.
EwenFlint
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 09:23 AMI wish to make it clear that the above comment by "mrflint" did not come from me, as I am a consultant in another health board area.
americanbob
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 01:13 PM"Dismay as watchdogs see doctors treating patients" Now correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't treating patients what doctors are supposed to do?
Xena - Warrior Princess
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 12:59 PMIf patients are treated well and given respect I don't see a problem with this, it can only be a good thing for all concerned.
mrflint
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 12:43 PMFantastic! Mr Barbour and his shambolic and negligent NHS Lothian are about to get their come-uppance at last in the wake of the scandal about standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Their first concern isn't patient confidentiality - it is covering up the epic scale of malpractice, neglect and contempt with which patients are treated by NHS Lothian. If you have nothing to hide then let the inspectorate inspect, but don't try to hide behind the patients you are serving so badly. Disgraceful.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.