NHS gets a good report from former patients

9:49am Sunday 17th August 2008

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NHS hospitals in Herefordshire have had a decent report from former patients.

In a recent survey, 86% of those responding rated their stay as very good, or fair.

And 84% reported they were fairly, or very satisfied with the standard of nursing.

Locally, the food served in hospitals came in for the most criticism with 42% of people saying they were not satisifed with what was served up.

The survey was carried out earlier this year by Sarah Carr, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hereford, whose supporters delivered 35,000 NHS inquiry survey forms in the city, Ross-on-Wye and across south Herefordshire.

There were 48 questions on the survey asking opinions on a wide range of health issues from general perceptions of the NHS to actual experience of using local GP practices and the A&E service and as in patients in hospitals.

While local services were reported to be good, there was less favour nationally with 38% of people saying the NHS wasted too much money, 42% stating mixed sex wards were unacceptable and, on wider health issues, 41% reported problems with the availability of NHS dentists.

Ms Carr said: "I am pleased that the negative perception many people have of what happens in the NHS is very different to the overwhelming positive actual experience people have reported of using our NHS in Herefordshire," she said.

The results of the survey were presented to Martin Woodford, chief executive of Hereford Hospitals Trust.