latest health care news

19.12.12

Hospices threatened by regulations

The NHS reforms could be threatening hospice care by increasing the burden posed on carers by regulation, the former Tory leader Lord Howard has warned in his role as chairman of the Help the Hospices charity.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to meet with Lord Howard to discuss his concerns.

Under the NHS reforms, it is feared that regulations on hospices could increase, causing difficulties in getting funding for people who want help from hospices so they can die at home. Hospices may soon come under the remit of Monitor, which could represent another layer of regulation.

Lord Howard said: “I am sure that nobody in the Government wanted the changes, which are very well-intentioned, to have any adverse impact on hospices at all.”

Dr Ros Taylor, chief executive of St Francis Hospice in Hertfordshire, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that instead of the three core principles of clinical care, finances and internal governance when she joined the hospice movement, there were now more than 200 regulatory policies she had to take account of.

She said: “My concern is that hospice care is based on close engagement with patients.

“The more our nurses, doctors and social workers have to spend filling in forms and phoning and faxing, that is less time with patients. We perhaps need a ‘ministry of common sense’ to look at that.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

featured articles

View all News

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us throu more > more last word articles >

health service focus

View all News

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental ... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual... more >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side wi... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >