Personal Injury Solicitor Lincolnshire

An unannounced visits at 100 hospitals to assess dignity and nutrition standards carried out by the Care Quality Commission has said thatAn unannounced visits at 100 hospitals to assess dignity and nutrition standards carried out by the Care Quality Commission has said that too many hospital are falling short in even the most basic care provisions.

It identified concerns in 55 cases, describing the findings as "alarming".

Areas of concern included a lack of support for those who needed help eating and poor hygiene.

The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, has said that he encourages whistle-blowers to highlight any concerns they have.

The 100 sites were chosen through a combination of random selection and because previous research had flagged up concerns about standards. It also included complaints from people, some of whom plan to sue the NHS for medical negligence.

In total, 45 were judged to be fully compliant, 35 met both the official standards on dignity and nutrition although there was room for improvement and 20 were failing on one or both.

In two cases - Sandwell General in West Bromwich and Alexandra Hospital in Worcestershire - the problems were judged to represent a major problem to patients.

At another - James Paget in Great Yarmouth - moderate problems were identified, but when a return visit was made and the issues had not been resolved the hospital was issued with a warning notice, meaning if swift improvements are not made it could face sanctions including prosecution or closure of services.

The Commission has described standards as “illegal”..

It identified concerns in 55 cases, describing the findings as "alarming".

Areas of concern included a lack of support for those who needed help eating and poor hygiene.

The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, has said that he encourages whistle-blowers to highlight any concerns they have.

The 100 sites were chosen through a combination of random selection and because previous research had flagged up concerns about standards. It also included complaints from people, some of whom plan to sue the NHS for medical negligence.

In total, 45 were judged to be fully compliant, 35 met both the official standards on dignity and nutrition although there was room for improvement and 20 were failing on one or both.

In two cases - Sandwell General in West Bromwich and Alexandra Hospital in Worcestershire - the problems were judged to represent a major problem to patients.

At another - James Paget in Great Yarmouth - moderate problems were identified, but when a return visit was made and the issues had not been resolved the hospital was issued with a warning notice, meaning if swift improvements are not made it could face sanctions including prosecution or closure of services.

The Commission has described standards as “illegal”.

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