Ethical and societal issues

2020 - Consultation response - ABPI code of practice
We welcome the principles and approach to working with voluntary sector organisations of the ABPI's code.

2019 - Policy statement - Assisted dying
Our position on assisted dying and assisted suicide.

2018 - Policy statement - Patient data
Our position on when and how patient data should be used.

2018 - Consultation response - Opt-out organ donation
The Government has decided to introduce a system of opt-out organ donation (or 'presumed consent') in England. This response gives our recommendations on safeguards and practicalities for the new system.

Latest

Patients Association’s comment on Care Quality Commission's State of Care 2021 report

The Care Quality Commission's annual State of Care report cataglogues a very difficult year for health and social care services. Here's our reaction to its findings.
Being a parent-carer for an adult child

Mo Hafeez, from Lancashire, is full-time parent carer for his adult son, Nav. In this guest post, he reflects on managing Nav’s nutritional health.
Good nutrition is fundamental to good health

For us, food is more than fuel for the body, it is a critical component of a patient’s care and recovery. That's why our new disease-related malnutrition resources are so needed.
The emotional rollercoaster of being a carer

Caring for someone with disease-related malnutrition can be challenging, says Ruby Bhatti who lives in West Yorkshire. In this guest post she talks about the emotional rollercoaster, for both patient and carer.

Social care changes: how will the new charging system work?

What is the 'cap' and the 'floor' in the new plans for charging for social care? We give an explanation.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Delays and cancellations

Most respondents to our survey had experienced delayed or cancelled appointments.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Staying away from care?

We found that it was more common during the pandemic for patients to try to access care but struggle than to stay away voluntarily, although both happened.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: NHS 111

Our survey showed a modest increase in use of NHS 111 during the pandemic, and a mix of patient experiences - more positive than negative, but still with some cause for concern.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Access to services

Patients told us about the difficulties they encountered accessing care during the pandemic, with GP services a particular problem.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Vaccinations

Patient feedback about the vaccination programme has been very positive, with most respondents to our survey finding appointments easy to arrange and reassuring to experience.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Shielding

We found that many people chose to shield themselves without having been told to do so, and not in line with official NHS advice.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: what patients told us

An overview of the findings of our report Pandemic Patient Experience II.
Pandemic Patient Experience II

Our second survey of patients' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19

Our formal policy documents on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic.