Gazette News
Outpatients have few complaints
11:00am Tuesday 21st February 2012
OUTPATIENTS have few major complaints about the service at Basingstoke hospital, a national survey has revealed.
The outpatients department did not receive a single below-average ranking when compared with those of other healthcare organisations.
The survey was conducted by NHS regulator, The Care Quality Commission, between June and October last year and a total of 479 patients at the hospital, in Aldermaston Road, responded to its questionnaire.
Out of 48 categories that patients were questioned about, the hospital’s score was “about the same” as other NHS trusts in 47, with the hospital being ranked as “better” in one category.
It scored highest for patients being given enough privacy when discussing their condition or treatment.
The hospital scored lowest for telling patients who were waiting longer than 15 minutes, how long the wait would be.
In each of the categories, hospitals received a score out of ten and a rating, comparing the scores to those of other trusts.
The survey included questions on waiting times, hospital facilities, cleanliness, seeing a doctor or other members of staff and how doctors explained conditions and illnesses, or tests, treatments and medication.
Since the survey, Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, has merged with Winchester and Andover hospitals to form Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Trust chief executive Mary Edwards, said: “We are delighted with the results of the outpatient survey that indicates we offer very high levels of privacy for patients for their outpatient appointments.
“We recognise that there are areas where we need to continue to improve in the outpatient service. In particular, making sure that patients are kept well informed, for example when there are unforeseen delays.”