Francis Report must lead to improved care for people nearing the end of their lives

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, today announced the Government’s response to the Francis Inquiry which looked into the standard of care provided at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The resulting Francis Report set out 290 recommendations for the NHS, focussing on clear, quality standards and patient-centred care.

Commenting on the Government response today, Imelda Redmond CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, at Marie Curie said: “We welcome the Government’s response to the Francis Report including a duty of candour for those providing care, and a culture of openness and transparency within the NHS. Marie Curie has provided care and support to people who are terminally ill and their families for more than sixty-five years and these people are some of the most frail and vulnerable patients within the NHS.

“Implementing many of the recommendations from the Francis Report will no doubt see significant improvements in patient safety and care for people with a terminal illness. We believe the Government needs to do more to protect people who are nearing the end of their life and provide them with the care they and their families expect, wherever they are being cared for.

“The Francis Inquiry has highlighted some fundamental failures in our hospitals and we must ensure that high quality, patient-centred care is provided across all healthcare settings, be that in hospital, the community or hospices. We know the immense distress caused to a family and loved ones after someone dies in poor conditions and without the care that they need. The impact can last for years.

“The delivery of high quality care must be achieved by everyone in the health and social care system working in partnership and crucially with the involvement of patients and their families. It is the people experiencing the service who are best placed to comment on its quality. This is not just about the NHS – it’s about all health and social care services.

“As a provider of services for the NHS, Marie Curie has been responding to the recommendations made in the Francis Report and will continue to work with the NHS and partners to meet the needs of patients and families at their most vulnerable times.”

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