Standards are a must; COMMENT.

THERE was a good deal of publicity given to a report by the Patients Association, which was critical of standards of care in some hospitals.

It highlighted cases across the country - none in the North East - of where the standard of care had fallen below acceptable levels.

Today we report on the experience of John Elliott, whose family were appalled by the treatment he received at North Tyneside General Hospital after he was admitted in 2007.

The 91-year-old was left soiled and naked in a cubicle, given unsuitable food and left cold, despite his family supplying warm clothing which went unused.

The hospital has apologised for the actions of its staff who were involved and said steps had been taken to ensure there was no repeat of an unacceptable situation.

It would clearly be wrong to suggest all hospital staff in general were culpable in presiding over an NHS which is failing. That is simply not the case - the vast majority of experiences of patients in our hospitals are positive.

Healthcare is still something we should be proud of.

However, its reputation is based on consistently high standards and trusts must do everything possible to ensure cases such as Mr Elliott's are not repeated.

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