Older People's Commissioner welcomes 'turning point' in patient care

We seem to have reached an important turning point in Wales, with a greater focus now on the needs of patients, with a strong focus on dignity and respect, and the ways in which their experiences can be improved and less focus on systems and processes. I particularly welcome the Health Minister’s announcement that, starting immediately, an additional £10m of funding will be available each year to ensure the right staffing levels and range of experience among staff on hospital wards across Wales.

There is already much work underway to improve health services across Wales, but there is still a long way to go and it is vital that we see continued improvements at ward level in patient care and the patient experience.I have been clear that the needs of patients should be at the heart of the way that health services across Wales are delivered and that decisions made at board level must reflect what is happening on the ward. Board members must be more accountable for the decisions that they make and the impact that these have on the ways that patients are cared for.

Older people are very clear with me that they understand that things don’t always go right. However, when there are failings there must be accountability, things must be put right and lessons must be learned. When we are at our best in Wales we deliver some truly fantastic, transformational care that makes a huge and positive difference to people’s lives. By learning from things that go wrong, we will ensure that we continuously improve, that we are at our best more often, and deliver safe, effective, dignified and compassionate care to all older people, wherever they live in Wales.