The Department of Health is today announcing the results of its most recent Community Health Services Patient Survey.  In October 2012, Primary Care distributed surveys to patients, which asked questions about the service they received from Community Health Services.  The aim was to seek patients’ views on service provision and areas for improvement.
 
The survey provides a snapshot of how patients rate the staff and services they receive in a community setting.  The responses were very positive, showing an overall positive response rate of 91%.
 
A total of 1,100 surveys were distributed to patients from a wide range of services: Community Nursing, Family Planning, Children and Families, Prison Healthcare, Dental Services, Podiatry, Ambulance, Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (Out Patient Services), Speech and Language Therapy, and the Manx Emergency Doctors Service.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “These results are an indication of the high standards of care right across our Island’s community health services.  There is, however no room for complacency, and we will endeavour to improve community services based on the suggestions made by the respondents, in line with the Strategy for the Future of Health Services, which looks to transfer care from Noble's Hospital to a community setting where appropriate.”
 
Tony Jones, General Manager, Primary Care said: “We really value patients and the public letting us know how they think we are doing; these results are both pleasing and helpful. The staff have been congratulated on continuing to provide such high quality and well thought of services.”
 
The key results included:
•         98% of respondents thought the staff were polite, helpful and courteous
•         94% felt they were treated with dignity and respect
•         95% felt listened to, cared for and had confidence and trust in the staff
•         99% reported they were happy with the cleanliness of the premises they attended
•         Almost 90% were satisfied with the length of time they waited to be seen and 94% were satisfied with the explanation they received about their treatment.
•         Over 90% of respondents added comments; the majority of which were very positive, with common words including that the staff were: Friendly; pleasant; welcoming; approachable; nice; helpful; reassuring; felt at ease; comfortable; gave confidence; supportive; encouraging; caring; was well cared for; thorough.
•         Nearly three quarters of respondents also added positive comments about the services, the most common including: Can’t fault; 10 out of 10; second to none; accessible or convenient; good; great; excellent; pleased; grateful.  With further comments pertaining to staff such as “a real asset”, “invaluable”, “an absolute credit to you”.
 
There were also some useful suggestions regarding how Community Health Services can continue to improve including:
•         Increased services (both existing and some suggestions for new services)
•         A more efficient use of IT (mobile phones, computer systems, internet)
•         Reviewing parking facilities.