98% of in-patients are satisfied with the level of care provided to them at Noble’s Hospital; that’s the result of a recent survey carried out by the hospital’s Patient Safety and Quality Forum. Noble’s Hospital’s Patient Safety and Quality Forum, which was established in 2007 and consists of a group of 8 hospital and 8 patient/public representatives, commissioned the survey as part of its ongoing work to promote further excellence in patient care and to entrench public involvement in service provision and development. The satisfaction survey was conducted between 1st August 2009 to 31st March 2010, during which time survey booklets were handed to patients as they were discharged from Noble’s Hospital. The sample group was made up of a total of 6,907 in-patients who were discharged during that time. A total number of 638 survey booklets were returned which represents 9% of the survey sample; a good response for a reply by post survey. The key objective of the survey was to listen to patients, celebrate areas of good practice and develop action plans to ensure that sustained improvements are implemented where patients felt less than wholly satisfied with their experience of Noble’s Hospital. The survey focused on key performance indicators for in-patient services and explored aspects that are important to patients during their hospital stay, such as: ·The admission procedures ·Waiting times ·Cleanliness ·Food quality and choices ·Ward facilities and environment ·How involved patients felt in decisions about their treatment and care; and ·The effectiveness of communication with the doctors and nurses and discharge planning. Overall the Patient Safety and Quality Forum were very encouraged by the responses received, with 98% of respondents rating their care whilst in Noble’s Hospital as good, very good or excellent, with comments such as: “All nursing staff and Doctors were extremely caring and happy people and I felt very safe in their care.” “This is the best hospital I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.” “I would have no hesitation what so ever of being admitted to Noble’s Hospital again.” The Minister for Health, Mr David Anderson, MHK said “I would like to thank the Patient Safety and Quality Forum at Noble’s Hospital for undertaking this quite substantial piece of work. I think the staff at Noble’s Hospital can be very proud of the results. Whilst I recognise that we don’t always get everything right for every patient and their family, these survey results show that the majority of patients are happy with the care they receive at Noble’s, which I’m delighted with.” Continues