NHS overhaul ‘to focus on patient care quality’

An overhaul of the NHS will focus primarily on improving the quality of patient care.

This is according to health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who, speaking in response to the Francis Inquiry, explained a culture of compassion at the health service will be used as an important marker of success.

It is hoped that such an approach will prevent any repeat of the failings seen at Stafford Hospital by putting an end to the negative impact that distorted targets and box-ticking can have.

Mr Hunt noted the values of respect and dignity will be given elevated status at hospitals and care homes, while patients and their relatives will be informed of anything that goes wrong while they are being cared for.

"The health and care system must change. We cannot merely tinker around the edges – we need a radical overhaul with high quality care and compassion at its heart," the politician stated.