GMC welcomes new report on dignity in care for elderly

The General Medical Council (GMC) has welcomed a report from the Commission on Dignity in Care for Older People, on the treatment of older people.

The report said feedback from patients – one of the requirements in medical revalidation - is crucial for health professionals to understand their strengths and learn how to improve their patient care.

The Chief Executive of the General Medical Council Niall Dickson said:

“This report is a breath of fresh air, taking us beyond a rehearsal of the problem towards identifying solutions. How we make sure every patient is treated with empathy and compassion is one of the greatest challenges facing our modern healthcare system.”

“We know that older patients are not always treated with the dignity we would expect for ourselves and our families. We believe doctors have a vital role in tackling this not only by the care they give, but also by ensuring the whole system offers older patient the respect they deserve.”

“Our guidance requires doctors to raise concerns if they think patient safety or dignity is being compromised in any way.”

“We particularly welcome the finding that patient and colleague feedback is critical for capturing evidence about whether doctors are delivering dignified care. The evidence certainly suggests that regular feedback from patients is important in helping to ensure high standards of care.”