Overcoming the barriers to patient‐centred care: time, tools and training

Abstract

This paper goes beyond reporting problems with the quality and safety of care to try to understand why patients do not always receive optimum care in areas that are important to them. In many cases nurses lack the time, tools and training to deliver high quality care in acute London hospitals. We suggest a number of low-cost interventions that might remove some of the barriers to patient-centred care. The questionnaire we have developed could be a useful tool for improving quality locally.