Plaid proposes website for accessible, transparent information for patients

In its response to the findings of the Francis Reports into the failings at a Mid Staffordshire hospital, the Party of Wales has proposed that the Welsh Government considers the creation of a website to ensure that all hospitals provide accessible and transparent performance information for patients. The party has advocated a system on the basis of the existing mylocalschool website, which collates comparable information about schools in Wales for parents and professionals to reference.

The Francis Report called for a number of measures to encourage a culture of transparency in hospitals to ensure that the standard of care in Welsh hospitals is maintained.

The Party of Wales Shadow Health Minister Elin Jones said:

“The horrific cases of mistreatment in Mid Staffordshire have shown how catastrophic failures in the NHS can be. The Francis Report showed the importance of a culture of transparency. There is no place for secrecy within the NHS – only through honesty and transparency can patents trust the care that they depend on, and can we drive up standards where they fall below par.

“That is why Plaid Cymru has proposed the establishment of a website which will collate the information that already exists so that patients can understand the quality of care at their local hospital. The quality of care in our NHS is a matter for us all – from health professionals to patients to politicians – and we can only improve it by being open and honest.

“We in Wales cannot ignore the findings of the Francis Report. The report advocated a culture of transparency and Plaid Cymru’s proposed mylocalhospital website would be a one-stop-shop for that.”