Royal College of Physicians clinical vice-president, Dr Linda Patterson, welcomed today's initiative from chief nursing officer Jane Cummings to focus more heavily on care and compassion in nursing practice and training. Commenting on the initiative, she said:
All healthcare professionals, including doctors, need to show compassion and empathy to patients as they are key elements of care. This initiative echoes the work the RCP has undertaken on professionalism, and we believe doctors and nurses working closely together can ensure better care. Clinical leadership will be very important in embedding this work into daily practice, and our joint ward round work with the Royal College of Nursing is a prime example of this.
We also need to move towards a culture of listening to patients and their families to enhance our understanding of patients’ needs and wishes - this will improve the care we provide. The RCP's Future Hospital Commission workstream on care and compassion will examine these issues.
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For further information, please contact Andrew McCracken, RCP Communications and New Media Adviser, on +44 (0)203 075 1354 / 07990 745 608, or email andrew.mccracken@rcplondon.ac.uk