Hospital Improves its National Inpatient Survey

The latest results of University Hospital's National In-Patient Survey for 2008 have been welcomed by Julia Bridgewater, Chief Executive. The results from the survey undertaken in July 2008 provide an annual perspective of the patient experience at the hospital and show the Trust is now in the top 20% of NHS Trusts in England for confidence and trust in how doctors treat patients and for nurses washing or cleaning their hands between touching patients.

• The biggest improvement was reported in the cleanliness of ward areas. The 'very clean' rating has leapt from 43% to 59%.

• Huge developments have been made too in the number of patients saying that doctors and nurses washed or cleaned their hands between touching patients. This figure has improved from the 2007 score of 39% to 51% for doctors.

• 55% of patients agreed that the toilets and bathrooms within the hospital buildings were 'very clean' (this higher than the national average and well up on the 37% achieved in 2007).

• Three out of four elective patients were admitted within four months (the target being 18 weeks) and that once a date was given, this was not changed. More than three out of four said that they were admitted as soon as was necessary.

• Confidence levels and trust in clinicians is high and the Trust received good ratings for staff explaining the risks and benefits of operations and procedures.

• Almost all the patients that responded to the survey rated the care they received as 'excellent' or 'very good'.

• 70% of those asked said that when they asked a nurse an important question, they got an answer that they could understand (this is also an improvement on last year's result and higher than the national average).

• 93% of respondents to the survey said that they were treated with dignity and respect whilst they were in hospital and most patients agreed that they had enough privacy when being examined or treated. In fact, 73% said that they definitely had enough privacy whilst being examined in the Accident & Emergency department. This is an increase of 8% since the 2007 survey.

 

Julia Bridgewater, Chief Executive of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire admits there is still work to be done before improvements can be shown in all areas. "The buildings and facilities at the hospital are older and this can account for some of some areas requiring improvement, but with our new 400 million pound hospital now taking shape, we hope that once it opens in 2012 with its state of the art facilities some of the issues will be resolved".

An example of the hugely improved patient environment can be seen in the Trust's brand new Maternity Centre that opened on 25th April. The centre has already received a lot of positive feedback from staff, parents and key stakeholder groups. The purpose built three-storey facility boasts 11 en-suite delivery rooms within in its Midwife Birthing Centre and 10 high-dependency en-suite delivery rooms (all with hydrotherapy baths) has already given people a glimpse of what they can expect from the new hospital buildings once they open.

The Centre also provides specialist Neonatal care and not only has the facilities to look after some of the areas poorliest babies but can also provide parents with comfortable en-suite rooms so that they stay close to their baby.

Julia continued: "We are really encouraged by some of the results of this survey, as translating perception into measurable data is very difficult, but we are working hard to ensure that our patients experience a first class standard of care and treatment at all times.

The survey has shown some positive signs of improvement in some very important areas such as privacy and dignity, communication and cleanliness, but we must continue to focus on the areas where further improvement is needed. Our new Maternity Centre, and soon to be open new Cancer Centre are two examples of just how fast the pace of change is here within the hospital, and hopefully clearly demonstrate the quality and standards that local people can expect from their local hospital".    

For further information or assistance please contact Sue Pantin, Communications Manager, on 01782 555400 or Andrew Ashcroft, Communications Manager, on 01782 555061.