NICE has published a new quality standard and guidance on patient experience in adult NHS services. The new standard includes ensuring that patients are given the opportunity to discuss their health beliefs, concerns and preferences in order to personalise their care. It also states that patients have their physical needs (such as nutrition, hydration, personal hygiene and pain relief) and psychological concerns (such as fear and anxiety) assessed.
In addition, the standard states that patients should be made aware that they have the right to choose, accept or decline treatment and these decisions are respected and supported.
NICE has also published accompanying clinical guidance on patient experience in adult NHS services. This guidance promotes person-centred care that takes into account a patient's needs, concerns and preferences. It acknowledges the value patients place on healthcare professionals acknowledging their individuality and the unique way in which each person experiences a condition and its impact on their life. The guidance therefore makes a number of recommendations on knowing the patient as an individual, essential requirements of care, and enabling the patient to actively participate in their care. Recommendations include:
• Develop an understanding of the patient as an individual, including how the condition affects the person, and how the person's circumstances and experiences affect their condition and treatment.
• Ensure that the patient's personal needs (for example, relating to continence, personal hygiene and comfort) are regularly reviewed and addressed.
• Regularly ask patients who are unable to manage their personal needs what help they need. Address their needs at the time of asking and ensure maximum privacy.
The quality standard and guidance are available on the NICE website: www.nice.org.uk
