The health service ombudsman, Ann Abraham, has today accused the NHS of failing to provide older people with basic standards of care and treat them with compassion, dignity and respect.

A series of investigations revealed that ten older patients suffered unnecessary pain, indignity and distress while in the care of the NHS. The report also highlighted common failures in pain control, discharge arrangements, ensuring adequate nutrition and communication with patients and their relatives.

One gentleman, who had advanced stomach cancer and wanted to die at home, was left sitting behind a closed curtain for several hours desperate to go to the toilet. He could not ask for help because he was so dehydrated he could not speak or swallow. He had also been given the wrong pain relief medication.

Another lady was left soaked in urine and dressed in clothes that did not belong to her and were held up with large paper clips.

Abraham said: ‘The findings of my investigations reveal an attitude – both personal and institutional – which fails to recognise the humanity and individuality of the people concerned and to respond to them with sensitivity, compassion and professionalism’.

‘The reasonable expectation that an older person or their family may have of dignified, pain-free, end of life care, in clean surroundings in hospital is not being fulfilled. Instead, these accounts present a picture of NHS provision that is failing to meet even the most basic standards of care,’ she added.

The findings of these investigations meanwhile are not isolated cases. Of the nearly 9,000 official complaints made about the NHS to the Ombudsman last year, 18% were about the care of older people. This is twice as many cases than all other age groups put together.

And this is by no means the first investigation into elderly care that has revealed evidence of poor standards and examples of abuse and neglect. Panorama for example has run undercover investigations on a number of occasions.

So I have to ask: when the hell is something going to be done about this?

Nothing gets done because there isn't any machinery to expose individual hospitals at the time, instead of months or even years later. We used to have Community Heath Councils (I was vice chair of one) which had their limitations but were truly independent of the NHS, local authorities and government. They had access to hospitals, a voice and influence with the local media. Sadly, the government dispensed with them a few years ago because they were a thorn in the side and too good at exposing the NHS weaknesses. They have been replaced by the toothless Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) which merely provides information, advice and support.

Anonymous 1 needed this 'Off the Record'

My friend works for the NHS and is currently assisting in the care of an illegal immigrant Ethiopian how has arrived here with HIV, she spends her time complaining that the house provided is not suitable and is demanding somewhere "warmer"..........when my Mother-in-law needed dimensure drugs we had to pay for them ourselves....

Sorry, I don't know but I notice that they say:

“Yet another damning report, this time from the Ombudsman confirming what we at the Patients Association already know. How many reports do we have to have before anything will change and patients will stop suffering? .... .etc."

The NHS is riddled with this kind of attitude. My partner recently attended our local surgery for a blood test, after waiting for well over 90 minutes for her appointment with the nurse and having enquired twice in respect of the delay it then transpired she had simply been forgotten and the receptionist concerned could not even remember speaking to her 20 minutes earlier. She has not been feeling very wel, and left the surgery in tears without having the blood test. Despite having a long term heart condition and leaving in a distressed state did anyone ring up to enquire after her or offer another appointment? - no, no one gave a dam. Whilst sitting waiting she heard a patient ring up for an appointment. The receptionist informed the patient that this particular doctor was on maternity leave but would be avialable to se them in - September!!!!!

The Oxford Dictionary gives a definition of a nurse as 'a person charged with or trained for the care of the sick' The whole problem now with the nursing profession is that the requirement to 'care' for your patients has been diluted and is now seen as being beneath many of them. It has become another 'career' rather than a vocation.