FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, 19th May 2010
Patients rate Trust highly in independent survey
Patients are highly satisfied with the quality care and treatment they receive at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust according to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inpatient survey published today. The Trust achieved the highest score nationally[1] for the question surrounding satisfaction - 97 out of 100 stated that they had no reason to complain about care provided at the Trust.
The survey this year focuses on the experience of patients in key areas such as infection control, hospital food, communications between hospitals and GPs, and mixed-sex accommodation, as well as general patient satisfaction.
Patients were asked a series of 61 questions relating to their experience as an inpatient. The Trust was in the category of ‘best performing 20 per cent of trusts’ for 77 per cent of the questions asked. For example, patients gave a rating of:
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99 out of 100 on the availability of hand gels for patients and visitors to use;
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98 out of 100 on feeling safe during their stay at hospital;
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96 out of 100 on having privacy when they were being examined and treated; and
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94 out of a 100 on trusting doctors that were treating them.
Areas where improvements could be made were also identified in the survey. These relate to ensuring patients do not use the same bathroom or shower area as patients of the opposite sex; making sure that the Trust improves aspects of how doctors and nurses communicate with patients during consultations and making sure that patients are fully involved in any decisions about their treatment. Work has already started to determine the best approach to improve the Trust’s performance in these areas.
Dr. Caroline Shuldham, director of nursing & governance, of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Surveys are an important way of assessing the experience of patients while they are in our care, and an invaluable tool in helping us to improve our services. We welcome the results of this survey and, where we are not happy with our scores, we will work together to bring about real improvements for patients.”
The report represents the seventh national survey of adult inpatients in NHS hospitals in England and follows earlier surveys carried out in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. This survey of inpatients involved 162 acute and specialist NHS trusts. More than 69,000 patients responded, a response rate of 52 per cent.
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For further information, please contact:
Shima Islam, Head of media relations
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 020 7351 8672 (Brompton)
Tel: 01895 828 877 (Harefield)
Mobile: 07866 536 345
Email: S.Islam@rbht.nhs.uk
Notes to editors:
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England.
[1] No other trust achieved a higher score. More than one trust achieved the same score.
