THE COST OF HOSPITAL VISITS - unique exit survey is launched
18th March 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Immediate Release
THE COST OF HOSPITAL VISITS - unique exit survey is launched
Surveys about the NHS are nothing new. Today, however, the Patients Association is asking patients visitors and staff about the issues that often get ignored but are as important in ensuring a modern patient-centred service.
In partnership with the Health Estates & Facilities Management Association (HEFMA) and Medical Services UK, the questions cover a hospital visit from when the patient or visitor leaves home until their return and include such controversial topics as parking, cleanliness, and food.
This national survey will be launched by Claire Rayner, President of the Patients Association, at Hillingdon Hospital where a survey booth will be placed in the entrance so that everyone can have their say, whatever their reason for being at the hospital – staff, visitor or patient.
Katherine Murphy, Director of the Patients Association, said: “Not getting these basics right costs patients huge stress and the NHS wasted money. The findings will be presented at HEFMA’s annual conference in May and the Patients Association is delighted to be working closely with them so that the results can be fast-tracked to those in a position to put things right.”
Added Joe Sheehan, Director of Medical Services: “The survey is timely because patient care is one of the nation’s most important social issues.”
Note to editors: Claire Rayner will be at Hillingdon Hospital at 1300 hrs on Thursday, 19th March to launch the Survey. The Survey will run for 2 weeks at Hillingdon Hospital. It is open to anyone at the hospitals (Staff, patients and visitors), online to all visitors to www.patients-association.com and will be sent to all PA e-members.
Claire Rayner will also be launching the Patients Association T-shirt “Don’t Touch until you’ve Washed your Hands”.
