The Skills Academy, as the organisation dedicated to improving leadership, management and commissioning in social care, is dismayed to hear of yet another damning report, this time from the Patients’ Association, on the poor quality of care of older people.
Diane Lawson, Chief Executive of the
National Skills Academy, said: "This
report is extremely shocking. Older people and their families put their
trust in the people that are charged with
providing their care, and it is clear from the examples
provided in the report there is great inconsistency in the experiences of people across the NHS in relation to
care. We believe this strongly relates to the
leadership capacity of the sector.
"With
a drive towards more integration of health and social care in future, to ensure a seamless experience for patients
it is vital that we develop the leadership
and management ability of the workforce to enable care with a capital ‘C’ to become the norm. We must strive
harder to build confidence in the community
that social care and health services will deliver safe outcomes that are responsive to their individual needs.
"We
urge NHS leaders to take action demonstrating the vision and the capacity that is required. We are working
closely with our NHS Leadership Academy partners
in order to develop the avenues for leaders to be the best that they can be, and to help them to become more outcome
focused for the people using their services."