According to the Health Minister Simon Burns, hospitals should check for signs of neglect when care home residents are admitted into hospital. Under a new scheme entitled ‘Present on Admission’ doctors should record the condition of patients when they arrive in hospital.
Figures suggest that many patients arrive in hospital with a condition that originated elsewhere. Experts believe that up to a third of patients with pressure sores and related health problems already have them when they arrive in hospital.
Campaigners believe that a checking system should be introduced to act as an early warning system to detect poor quality in care homes. Simon Burns believes the system is an acceptable interim solution and 10 to 12 trusts will pilot the scheme this autumn.
If the scheme proves to be a success then it will become mandatory in hospitals across England. This will improve the care and quality of treatment patients receive in hospital and detect care home abuse.
