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Inpatient survey reveals high levels of confidence in nurses despite staff shortages

Care Quality Commission survey shows majority had positive interactions with nursing staff

Care Quality Commission adult inpatient survey shows majority had positive interactions with nursing staff

The majority of respondents to the Care Quality Commission inpatient hospital survey have confidence in and positive interactions with nursing staff
The majority of respondents to the Care Quality Commission inpatient hospital survey have confidence in and positive interactions with nursing staff Picture: Alamy

More than one in three (38%) of hospital inpatients say there aren’t enough nursing staff on duty to care for them, a survey suggests. But despite the shortages, patients reported high levels of confidence and positive interactions with nursing staff in the annual Care Quality Commission (CQC) adult inpatient survey.

83% of hospital respondents have trust and confidence in nursing staff

The survey captured the views and experience of 73,000 people who stayed in one of 137 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England for at least one night during November 2020.

Other findings included:

  • 83% of respondents said they had trust and confidence in nursing staff.
  • 77% said they ‘always’ received answers they could understand when asking nurses questions about their care.
  • 85% said they had always been treated with dignity and respect during their hospital stay.

Positive feedback is down to tremendous efforts of front-line healthcare professionals

Almost all people (98%) in the survey said their hospital room or ward was clean. But one fifth (19%) said their night-time rest was disturbed by noise from staff.

CQC chief inspector of hospitals Ted Baker said the positive feedback for staff was particularly impressive given the unprecedented pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: ‘The high levels of satisfaction reported by so many people reflect the tremendous efforts of healthcare professionals on the front line and their dedication and resilience is to be commended.’


Find out more

Care Quality Commission (2021) Adult Inpatient Survey 2020


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