NHS 'treats patients as illness'

The report said not every hospital made the same team effort

Patients in some parts of the NHS in Wales are treated more "as an illness, not as a human being," according to a healthcare watchdog.

Patients can suffer from a lack of privacy and dignity in Welsh hospitals, says Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

It found cramped conditions and poor communication left many elderly feeling vulnerable and unable to complain.

Health Minister Edwina Hart said work was already under way to update guidance to the health services.

The Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) report looked at standards across the NHS and what worried patients most.

It found particular concerns over how cramped some hospitals can be and how that leads to a loss of privacy.

If they weren't treated with dignity and respect, if they didn't feel comfortable, that's what's left when they leave that organisation Mandy Collins, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales

The use of mixed wards was condemned, particularly for elderly patients, who feel they suffer from a lack of respect.

Cramped conditions can also lead to problems with cleaning, making wards seem cluttered and untidy, affecting the whole image of the NHS, according to the report.

While some hospitals were already tackling these issues, inspectors wanted to see more managers take a grip of what was happening on their wards.

Mandy Collins, of HIW, said the respect and dignity patients were shown often mattered more to them than some of their clinical care.

She said: "It's what stays with them. If they weren't treated with dignity and respect, if they didn't feel comfortable, that's what's left when they leave that organisation.

Eiri Jones talks to patient Mary Oliver at Bronglais Hospital

"Particularly those who are bed-bound and cannot go and use the toilet facilities - they find it quite distressing having to use a commode behind curtained bays."

Speaking at the launch of the report, HIW chief executive Dr Peter Higson emphasised there was an issue with "patients being treated as an illness, not as a human being".

Earlier this year, inspectors raised concerns over tidiness and cleanliness at Aberystwyth's Bronglais Hospital.

Eiri Jones, director of nursing at Bronglais, said the wards were "quite cluttered".

She said: "The beds are slightly bigger now than when the hospital was built, so sometimes the bed spaces are a bit squashed, so there's a risk there, for patients and staff.

'Action plans'

"They [patients] are also concerned because they hear about infection control but in fact we have some of the lowest rates in Wales, despite the cramped spaces, and I think that's really about the team working together to get on top of things."

The HIW report showed not every hospital was making the same team effort, with some hospital managers keeping their distance from the wards.

Health Minister Edwina Hart said: "I expect local health boards and NHS trusts to carefully study the report in coming up with their action plans on improving services.

"I will be monitoring the situation and will take action where I feel issues have not been addressed satisfactorily."