Charity welcomes improvements at Edinburgh Royal
In June 2011 Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) was tasked with carrying out a new programme of inspections aimed at ensuring that the care of older people in acute hospitals is of a high standard, particularly with regard to the three national quality ambitions for NHS Scotland; compassion, dignity and respect.
In this regard, Age Scotland expressed its disappointment at the findings of an unannounced HIS inspection at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in August 2012 that focussed on the care of people with dementia and cognitive impairment, nutritional care and hydration and preventing and managing pressure ulcers, and found 23 areas for improvement.
Age Scotland spokesman Lindsay Scott said: "It is only right that we acknowledge the progress that has been made since then, and praise NHS Lothian for the improvement in addressing the issues identified during that last inspection of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh."
Following a 2-day unannounced inspection in mid-February this year, HIS Chief Inspector, Susan Brimelow said: "We saw staff treating patients with dignity and respect in all our observations. We also noted that accident and emergency is working well to adapt to and meet the needs of older people and those who are cognitively impaired.
"A range of specialist services are available to support the care of older people and Dementia Champions from a range of disciplines are being trained and used throughout the hospital."
Since the previous inspection, the team found that protected mealtimes are now in place, well-managed and generally working well, that there is a consistent and caring approach to the support given to patients during mealtimes and that patients are now provided with a choice of meals.
This inspection resulted in six areas of strength, 10 areas for improvement and two areas for continuing improvement. A full list of the areas for improvement can be found in Appendix 1 on page 14 of the unannounced inspection report.
Susan Brimelow concluded: "The NHS board has developed an improvement action plan and we expect NHS Lothian to address all the areas for improvement. Those areas where improvement is required to meet a recognised standard must be prioritised."
