New guidance on individual doctor responsibility for hospital patients issued

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has published new guidance that will make doctors responsible for the whole of a patient's care during their stay in hospital.

With this new government-supported guidance, it will be made clear to patients, carers, nurses and relatives which doctor is ultimately responsible for all aspects of their care. Meanwhile, named nurses should be available to provide information and act as a primary point of contact.

This move follows one of the key recommendations of the Francis Report, suggesting that if a named clinician were accountable throughout a hospital patient's treatment, it would improve patient safety and the overall quality of care.

It will also help ensure vulnerable patients are only discharged if it is in their best interests, with appropriate support from friends, family or carers.

Professor Terence Stephenson, chair of the Academy, said: "Some hospitals have already implemented a 'name over the bed' process and where they have, patients say they have more confidence that someone is taking overall responsibility for them."

This comes as part of wider efforts by the government to introduce a greater sense of candour and accountability within NHS care.