The results of the lastest survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reveal that patient satisfaction levels have remained static since 2021, but it suggests a more prolonged decline in most areas when compared to the performance in previous years.
The survey asked a sample of 63,000 people if there was a change in their health while waiting to be admitted. The study revealed an increasing number of patients who believe that there is an inadequate number of nurses available to provide care for them. Additionally, almost two in three (62%) said they were always able to receive care from a member of staff when they needed attention. This statistic is a drop from 63% in 2021 and 67% in 2020.
Approximately half of the respondents (51%) felt that the situation had remained unchanged. However, 24% expressed they believed that it had slightly deteriorated, while an additional 17% indicated a significant decline. Meanwhile, 8% reported experiencing an improvement in their health.
In 2022, 39% of respondents who were in hospital for elective care said they would have liked to have been admitted sooner and 41% said their health deteriorated while waiting to be admitted, with 24% stating that it had slightly worsened, and another 17% noting a substantial deterioration.
The majority of individuals surveyed (81%) indicated that they 'always' had confidence and trust in the doctors treating them, a figure that remained consistent with the 2021 results. Similarly, over four-fifths (82%) felt that they were 'always' treated with dignity and respect, a statistic that also showed no change from 2021.
Moreover, responses to inquiries regarding the support provided by staff to address individuals' fundamental needs – most of which saw a significant decline in 2021 – remained unchanged in 2022.
The discharge process often left patients dissatisfied, with only 48% receiving adequate notice about their departure time, and only 45% were informed about their post-hospital care plans.
The overall hospital experience was less satisfactory for individuals aged 16-50, those admitted as emergencies, or those in frail health. This also applied to individuals with dementia. However, older patients, those admitted for planned care, and those with shorter hospital stays (one night) reported a significantly more positive experience.
Source: The Guardian
Image Source: iStock
References:
Care Quality Commission (2023) Majority of patients remain positive about care they receive when in hospital but over a third say their health deteriorated while waiting for treatment. (Online) Available at https://www.cqc.org.uk/press-release/majority-patients-remain-positive-about-care-they-receive-when-hospital-over-third
