Jane Cummings, NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer, today welcomed the positive findings in the NHS inpatient survey but urged hospitals to do more to tackle variations in the way patients perceive their care.

“The NHS must get it right every time for every patient,” she said. “This survey is, on the whole, encouraging and demonstrates progress in key areas. However, there remains too much variation in the quality of care provided and hospitals need to look closely at what they need to do to improve.

“This survey helps identify areas where we need to change so that every patient can be confident they will be treated with dignity, compassion and care.”

“The findings of the Francis report into the care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust raised really serious challenges for the NHS. We must now all act quickly and effectively to make a difference by ensuring everything we do places the patient at the heart of the NHS.”

Yesterday, Ms Cummings launched the implementation plans for Compassion in Practice. This is a three-year vision and strategy for nursing, midwifery and care staff and aims to build the culture of compassionate care in all areas of practice.

Ms Cummings added: “We have a long way to go and we need to ensure that we are learning from the best hospitals we have.

“It is also important that patients, their families and carers are able to comment freely on the care they receive from the NHS and that we use this information to build a high quality health service.

“The new friends and family test will enable patients to have their say on the quality of care they receive and the NHS Constitution ensures we are transparent and open about the feedback we get.

“We are determined to put people at the heart of everything we do. Our most recent business plan reflects how we will work with commissioners to improve quality and secure the best possible outcomes for people.”