High levels of patient satisfaction in Welsh NHS commended by Vaughan Gething

Overall patient satisfaction with NHS remains extremely high according to the results of a major annual survey published today.

The Fundamentals of Care survey has been used to gather patients’ views on their experience of receiving care.

This is the last year the survey will be published in this form as this is a transition year while implementing the new monitoring regime for the new Health and Care Standards which were published in April 2015.

The survey was conducted in all hospitals across Wales and over 7700 patients responded. The information gathered will be used to improve the standards of patient care and enhance the overall patient experience.

Key findings include:

• 99% of patients felt that they were treated with dignity and respect
• 98% of patients felt that they were given privacy
• 98% of patients felt that they were given help to be as independent as possible
• 95% of patients felt they were given full information about their care
• 98% of patients felt they were made to feel safe.

Commenting on the survey’s findings Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport Vaughan Gething said:

“These high levels of patient satisfaction are very encouraging with 30 of the 32 questions receiving responses in excess of 92%. This is welcome news.

“I am glad to see that people in need of the NHS in Wales feel they are treated with dignity and respect and that they feel safe. I acknowledge that there’s some work to be done to ensure that patients get enough sleep and rest in order to recuperate and we’ll look at where improvements can be made in this area.

“Although overall these are positive findings which should be commended, there’s always work that still needs to be done. It’s important we build on these good results and continue to deliver the quality of care that people across Wales deserve.”

Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Jean White said:

“The survey has a vital role in informing us as healthcare professionals where we are doing well; but importantly where we need to deliver improvements for people accessing the NHS.

“I’m proud of the results of this important survey. The fact we’ve achieved these high levels of patient satisfaction is testament to the excellent work taking place, every day, across the NHS in Wales.”