New standards of care consultation in NHS Wales

New standards to ensure everyone in Wales receives the same level of high-quality care from the Welsh NHS have been unveiled by the Welsh Government.

The new standards, which are subject to a 12-week public consultation, set out what NHS Wales needs to do to demonstrate it is doing the right thing, in the right way, in the right place, at the right time and with the right staff.

The new standards bring the existing Fundamentals of Care standards and health standards together in one framework.

There will be one integrated Health Standards Framework, which streamlines the 26 Standards for Health Services in Wales and the 12 Fundamentals of Care standards.

The new quality themes are:

• Staying healthy – People in Wales are well informed to manage their own physical and mental health;
• Safe care – People in Wales are safe and protected from harm and protect themselves from known harm;
• Effective care – People in Wales receive the right care and support as locally as possible and are enabled to contribute to making that care successful
• Dignified care – People in Wales are treated with dignity and respect and treat others the same;
• Timely care – People in Wales have timely access to services based on clinical need and are actively involved in decisions about their care;
• Individual care – People in Wales are treated as individuals with their own needs and responsibilities;
• Staff and resources – People in Wales can find information about how their NHS is resourced and make careful use of them.

The new standards have been developed in response to a commitment given by the Health Minister in July 2013 to review and update the Standards for Health Services in Wales and the Fundamentals of Care standards in response to the report Delivering Safe Care, Compassionate Care, which was Wales’ response to the Francis inquiry into failings at  Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Health and  Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Every day, thousands of people across Wales receive first class, safe, compassionate care in our NHS.

“Every person in Wales who uses health services or supports others to do so, whether in hospital, primary care, the community or in their own home has the right to receive excellent quality care.

“In Wales, as in other parts of the UK, there are many examples of good healthcare, however there are examples of people who have been  let down by the quality and safety of the care they receive.

“It is important the new Health Standards Framework for Wales is developed and owned by people who deliver services and those who use them. The NHS in Wales needs to demonstrate that it is doing the right thing, in the right way, in the right place, at the right time and with the right staff.

“In order for people in Wales to understand what to expect when they access health services and what their responsibilities are, these health standards have to  drive continuous improvements in quality.

“These standards  set out what people can expect whether they are receiving healthcare or providing it.”