Despite change, the patient must always come first

摘要

A major talking point at the moment across all care settings is the findings of the Mid Staffordshire inquiry, also known as the Francis Report, which came up with 209 recommendations, 29 of which related directly to nursing. The key outcome of the report is to 'put patients first'. It also calls for better support and leadership for nurses delivering care, including the need for a code of conduct, education and training standards for healthcare support workers who contribute greatly in the provision of care. Although this report focuses on practice in Mid Staffordshire, it is thought that some of the practices seen would have been present in other organisations too. A major concern was the poor level of nursing care some patients experienced, even the very basic care, which has put nursing in a negative light. It will take a long time to regain the public's trust in nursing as a caring profession.