Call for hospital to improve elderly patient care

It follows an unannounced inspection which was carried out over three days at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in January by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Senior inspector Ian Smith said: “During our inspection we found areas of good practice and areas to improve.
“Interactions between staff and patients were positive and the majority of patients praised the care they received.”
“However, NHS Dumfries and Galloway must ensure that all older people, who are being treated in accident and emergency or are admitted to hospital, are assessed within the national standard recommended timescales and that that all documentation is dated, timed and filled correctly.”
The inspection covered eight wards ranging from general surgery to stroke and respiratory and the care of the elderly.
Mr Smith said the patients and relatives were complimentary about the care, patients were complimentary about the quality of food and that staff felt supported by senior management and there was good multi-disciplinary working.
But he said further improvement is required in completing assessments accurately and within the recommended standard timescales, there was a lack of person centred care plans, and there are concerns around the completion of the assessment of capacity to consent and staff understanding of Adults with Incapacity (AWI).
With the inspection finding six areas of good practice and 12 in need of improvement, a spokesman for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomes the report and, following the inspection in January, has used the recommendations to drive improvements.
“I am pleased to note the positive comments from patients and their relatives about their experience of care and am committed to ensuring that Dumfries and Galloway hospitals deliver high quality to all individuals who receive care.”