Experts Call For Action Following Latest Findings

The NHS and government need to react quickly to concerns raised in a new report over standards of nursing care in hospitals across the UK, a medical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell has urged.

A new report from the NHS Future Forum has claimed that a number of nurses lack basic skills or have a poor understanding of the values of the health service, while it also suggested there are regional variations in relation to standards of training and education for those entering the profession.

It added that some issues related to recruitment meant that the focus has shifted from selecting students on ability and desire to work in the profession.

Medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell act for people left with serious injuries as a result of errors in treatment and substandard care, as well as families who have lost a loved one as a result of such failings.

Lisa Jordan, a Partner and medical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said the report highlighted very serious problems which need to be addressed as soon as possible.

She said: “The NHS has a duty to ensure that the highest safety standards are in place in all of its hospitals, so it is worrying to see concerns raised that nurses are not being given the training and support they need to provide the best possible service.

“It is also vital that efforts are made to ensure the recruitment of nurses is carried out in the correct manner and that all people being selected for the profession are suitable.

“We’ve unfortunately seen the terrible consequences which can emerge as a result of failings in care and it is imperative that the NHS assesses its current standards for recruitment to guarantee that those working in the area are able to effectively fulfil their duties.”