Patients’ survey launched

A patients’ group is launching a major public survey to find the good, the bad and the ugly about patients’ experiences of leaving hospital.

The Patients’ Council, an independent organisation promoting patients’ concerns, views and ideas, wants to hear from as many local people as possible about their personal experiences of the hospital discharge process.

It will be asking its 12,000-strong membership to complete the survey, as well as members of the public who have been admitted to any of the local hospitals in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury or North Manchester in the last two years.

The survey of 20 multiple choice questions is available on its website — www.patientscouncil.org.uk  — until October 31. A hard copy is also available by calling 0161-766 9392 or e-mailing info@patientscouncil.org.uk .

Patients’ Council member Mick Ainsworth, who is leading the research project, said: “Our role is to represent the voice of the patient and contribute to the improvement of services where possible. We have anecdotal information that the discharge process is not as smooth and as stress-free as it should be, but we need to back this up with quantifiable facts.

“We need as many people as possible, both patients and carers, that have been in hospital themselves or had a relative in hospital in the last two years, to spend a few minutes completing the questionnaire to give us a clear picture of what is happening at our hospitals.

“We can then use the results to push for improvements where necessary and share best practice both nationally and locally.”

Examples of questions in the survey include: Did you know when you would be discharged? Was there a delay in your discharge? Did you feel ready/well enough to be discharged?