There's no escape - I'm going to have to come out with it - I am becoming ashamed of my profession! Whatever happened to Basic Nursing Care?
I know I am not alone in having this criticial opinion.There have been more than a few features on the radio recently concerning poor care - in our hospitals and care-homes both for elderly and disabled people, and at least one newspaper columnist makes it her business to observe and comment upon the care given in these institutions. In addition, I can speak from my own experience (as a Nurse, Patient and patient's Relative), and the experiences of some of those close to me (both in and out-of the medical and nursing professions). I recognize that, in terms of how long it is since I was an active member of the nursing profession, I am a dinasour! In my heyday we had 'Nightingale' wards (a long room, with a row of beds' - perhaps totalling around 24 - down each side), the daily routine included various task-rounds, and the Nursing Degree was still at the experimental stage - undertaken by very few. Many of the 'old ways' are frowned upon today. But were they really all bad?
'Nightingale' wards undoubtedly had their faults, but at least one could see the whole place at a glance ...and people didn't get 'forgotten'. Those in charge made it their business to know all the people and what went on in their wards - and the 'buck always stopped' with the Ward Sister or Charge Nurse. These days, some places don't even have these, favouring such entities as 'Team Leaders' (for example). I was appalled to hear recently of a Ward Sister who rebuffed an enquiring relative with 'Oh, I don't know anything about her, you'll have to ask ...'
The most basic aspects of care (food, drink and cleanliness - both of the person and his/her surroundings) are now giving cause for concern. The media have reported critically on all these subjects recently, and I have heard many anecdotes which do not make comfortable listening. One common example of such is that of a meal-tray being left out-of-reach of an immobile person, then removed with no questions asked, when it obviously hadn't been touched. Whenever it is necessary for me to go into hospital in the years since the stroke, I have either a family member or a Carer stay with me - just to make sure that these basic needs are met. Communication - both with the person concerned and his/her relatives - has also, it seems, become a casualty. Something that really bugged me when I was last in hospital was being asked 'Is that alright dear?', then the speaker walked away without waiting for an answer. Not one, but two, errors there! (And the reply was going to be in the negative anyway!)
Of course, there are (still) some truly wonderful nurses, and they probably feel - justifiably - insulted by all this criticism. I have encountered such lovely people both in the hospital and in 'the community', and they have not necessarily been those with the highest qualifications. And certainly not necessarily those with a University Degree!
It is my contention that the personality of an individual plays a much more important role in the quality of nursing care than is recognised. The inherent qualities of caring and empathy seem to be overlooked in favour of academic prowess. Common sense and kindness seems to have been supplanted by the need to meet targets and to save money. But people's basic need for time, attention and respect do not diminsh over time, despite the prevailing political or economic climate.
There; I have stuck my head above the parapet, and I expect to get shot down. But I feel justified, knowing that I am not alone in thinking the way I do. It's probably time to get down off my soap-box ...once again ...
