Nurses reveal patients treated in cupboards and kitchens

10 Mar 2010

A survey of nurses has revealed that patients are treated in cupboards and kitchens due to a shortage of space in hospitals.

The survey, conducted by the Nursing Times, found that 63% of nurses knew of patients being placed in areas not designed for treatment.

79% of nurses claimed the practice was putting patients at risk as they were left without access to call bells or water.

More than 80% of nurses said that they had reported concerns over the practice to managers, but just 4% reported that their concerns had been addressed and the practice stopped.

A Department of Health spokesman said that most NHS patients experience “good quality, safe and effective care” but that “local healthcare commissioners and providers to assess the services needed locally”.

Lindsay Gibb, a clinical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “It is very worrying that patient safety is being put at risk due to a lack of facilities. The fact that healthcare is being delivered in kitchens and cupboards is shocking and this must have an inevitable impact upon the standard of care being received. 

“Nurses are clearly concerned and have had the courage to voice their concerns but they are being ignored. We hope the Department of Health will take this seriously and that something is done to ensure this practice stops.”

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