Nutritional and dignity concern at James Paget Hospital

Patients at a Norfolk hospital are at risk of poor nutrition and denied dignity and respect a report says.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an unannounced inspection at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, in April.

Inspectors found some patients were not fed properly, some were patronised by staff and others treated in full view of fellow patients.

The hospital chief executive said work was under way to improve.

The CQC grades concerns as minor, moderate or major.

It found there was moderate concern and need for improvement in two categories - nutritional needs and respecting and involving people who use services.

'Disappointing' report

The hospital's, chief executive Wendy Slaney, said: "They have seen examples where patient care in terms of privacy, dignity and nutrition is very good, but they have noted examples were standards are not as good as we would like them to be.

"The report is useful to us as it confirms that the work we are doing and the things we are focusing on improving are the right things."

She added: "There is no way we are saying the fact that this isn't applied universally all the time, is all right.

"We are working toward consistency of practice so that these standards are met for every patient."

Inspectors praised several aspects of care but said the problems needed to be eradicated.

Age UK Norfolk chief executive Hilary MacDonald said they had raised concerns about older patients at the hospital in the past.

Speaking after the report Ms MacDonald said: "It is very disappointing that the James Paget Hospital failed to reach the standards required by the CQC in both treating older people with dignity, and ensuring they get adequate food and drink while they were in the hospital.

"Age UK Norfolk called for the CQC to carry out the spot checks because we were still being informed of people in Norfolk encountering difficulties in obtaining the right nutrition in hospital and in being treated with dignity whilst there."