Post by Deanne Jenkyns on Apr 25, 2007 20:18:54 GMT 1
Latest report reveals patients unaware of rights
12 December 2005…
A survey conducted by The Patients Association has revealed that members of the public want to know far more about the quality of the healthcare providers, the treatments they are offered and the healthcare options that are available to them.
The report, The Public Perception of Patients Rights Within The UK NHS highlights that people believe they have the right to receive this information they do not. The survey reports that a significant minority of people are also unable to exert the few legal rights that patients do have such as the right to access personal medical records, and the right to make a complaint.
One particular problem identified by this survey is that a considerable body of patients are reluctant to confront their doctor if faced with an unhappy healthcare situation. Too many of the public also appear suspicious of the medical profession, and doubtful of the willingness of doctors to work on behalf of patients best interests. Yet, a minority of articulate and knowledgable patients are able to gain access to the NHS services they believe they need. These differences in attitude are, in part, contributing to the ever-widening gap in health among the UK population.
Simon Williams, Director of Policy at The Patients Association said:
'The findings of this survey are disturbing. Clearly, the public believes that the NHS gives them many rights as patients¯when, in fact, patients in this country possess only a few entitlements.
The findings from this survey suggest that now would be a good time to begin a discussion about the patients rights in the UK. Some among the medical profession worry that a rights-based healthcare system might bring the NHS more trouble. They are apprehensive of a wave of patients suddenly demanding entitlements. Worse still, doctors fear litigation from disgruntled patients who suspect that their new rights have not been respected.
Fortunately, the good news from this survey is that, on the whole, the doctor-patient relationship is alive and well. Indeed, from the comments received, many patients are still content to defer to the wisdom of their doctors. Those principles of solidarity that formed the cornerstone of the NHS from its days of founding, over half a century ago, remain intact.
For further information, contact Simon Williams 07779 023781 or The Patients Association 0208 4239111
Some of the findings from the survey:
90% of the UK public (incorrectly) believe that they are entitled to receive enough information to take their medicines properly.
90% of the public (incorrectly) believe that the NHS gives patients the right to be treated in a hospital that meets government standards.
80% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they are entitled to receive information about the quality of the performance of the hospital they are due to attend.
75% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have the right to information about the potential choices of treatment for their condition.
75% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have a right to a second opinion on the NHS.
75% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have the right to be protected against medical error while attending hospital.
67% of the public (incorrectly) believe that NHS patients have the right to be treated, or to have an operation, before their condition worsens.
50% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have the right to receive information about the quality and performance of their GP.
Many countries in Europe have legal rights for patients, including Lithuania Latvia, Hungary and Estonia and Cyprus. The Patients Charter in England was abolished in 1997.
During a four-week period in September-October 2005, Rosslyn Research conducted a UK-wide telephone poll of 1,000 members of the general public aged 18 years or over.
The survey aimed to find out what rights or entitlements members of the public believed the National Health Service (NHS) gave them as patients. The survey's questionnaire, analyses and final report were prepared and written by PatientView Rosslyn Research is an independent market research firm based in London www.rosslyn-research.co.uk.
PatientView is an independent research and publishing organisation which works with patient organisations and is based in Wales [http://www.patient-view.com].
The research was supported by an educational grant from Merck Sharp Dohme Ltd.
Download a full copy of the report here.
www.patients-association.org.uk/onlinewebmanager/downloads/Patient%20Rights%20report%20FINAL%20DECEMBER%202005.pdf
Back
Back to top
© The Patients Association 2005 – Registered Charity number 1006733
12 December 2005…
A survey conducted by The Patients Association has revealed that members of the public want to know far more about the quality of the healthcare providers, the treatments they are offered and the healthcare options that are available to them.
The report, The Public Perception of Patients Rights Within The UK NHS highlights that people believe they have the right to receive this information they do not. The survey reports that a significant minority of people are also unable to exert the few legal rights that patients do have such as the right to access personal medical records, and the right to make a complaint.
One particular problem identified by this survey is that a considerable body of patients are reluctant to confront their doctor if faced with an unhappy healthcare situation. Too many of the public also appear suspicious of the medical profession, and doubtful of the willingness of doctors to work on behalf of patients best interests. Yet, a minority of articulate and knowledgable patients are able to gain access to the NHS services they believe they need. These differences in attitude are, in part, contributing to the ever-widening gap in health among the UK population.
Simon Williams, Director of Policy at The Patients Association said:
'The findings of this survey are disturbing. Clearly, the public believes that the NHS gives them many rights as patients¯when, in fact, patients in this country possess only a few entitlements.
The findings from this survey suggest that now would be a good time to begin a discussion about the patients rights in the UK. Some among the medical profession worry that a rights-based healthcare system might bring the NHS more trouble. They are apprehensive of a wave of patients suddenly demanding entitlements. Worse still, doctors fear litigation from disgruntled patients who suspect that their new rights have not been respected.
Fortunately, the good news from this survey is that, on the whole, the doctor-patient relationship is alive and well. Indeed, from the comments received, many patients are still content to defer to the wisdom of their doctors. Those principles of solidarity that formed the cornerstone of the NHS from its days of founding, over half a century ago, remain intact.
For further information, contact Simon Williams 07779 023781 or The Patients Association 0208 4239111
Some of the findings from the survey:
90% of the UK public (incorrectly) believe that they are entitled to receive enough information to take their medicines properly.
90% of the public (incorrectly) believe that the NHS gives patients the right to be treated in a hospital that meets government standards.
80% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they are entitled to receive information about the quality of the performance of the hospital they are due to attend.
75% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have the right to information about the potential choices of treatment for their condition.
75% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have a right to a second opinion on the NHS.
75% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have the right to be protected against medical error while attending hospital.
67% of the public (incorrectly) believe that NHS patients have the right to be treated, or to have an operation, before their condition worsens.
50% of the public (incorrectly) believe that they have the right to receive information about the quality and performance of their GP.
Many countries in Europe have legal rights for patients, including Lithuania Latvia, Hungary and Estonia and Cyprus. The Patients Charter in England was abolished in 1997.
During a four-week period in September-October 2005, Rosslyn Research conducted a UK-wide telephone poll of 1,000 members of the general public aged 18 years or over.
The survey aimed to find out what rights or entitlements members of the public believed the National Health Service (NHS) gave them as patients. The survey's questionnaire, analyses and final report were prepared and written by PatientView Rosslyn Research is an independent market research firm based in London www.rosslyn-research.co.uk.
PatientView is an independent research and publishing organisation which works with patient organisations and is based in Wales [http://www.patient-view.com].
The research was supported by an educational grant from Merck Sharp Dohme Ltd.
Download a full copy of the report here.
www.patients-association.org.uk/onlinewebmanager/downloads/Patient%20Rights%20report%20FINAL%20DECEMBER%202005.pdf
Back
Back to top
© The Patients Association 2005 – Registered Charity number 1006733