Patients mostly happy with care

Most patients experienced good care throughout Cork’s hospitals this year, a new survey has shown.

The 2019 National Inpatient Experience Survey asked patients about their experiences of hospital care, covering topics such as admission to hospital, privacy, care and treatment, interaction with staff and the discharge processes.

Over 1,500 patients from five public hospitals in Cork participated in the 2019 survey.

The majority of patients had positive overall experience. 93 per cent said they had a ‘good’ or ‘very good’ experience, compared with 84 per cent nationally.

The hospital received above-average scores for all stages of care and for overall experience. Most patients said that they were always treated with respect and dignity in the hospital. Participants also said they were given enough privacy while being examined or treated. In addition, the majority of people said that staff assisted them to get to the bathroom when required.

The majority of patients said that they had positive overall experiences with 85 per cent of patients saying they had a good or very good experience.

Three areas of good experience were identified. For example, patients said that doctors gave clear answers to their questions, and that the bathrooms and toilets were clean.

In addition, most patients said their home or family situation was taken into account when planning their discharge.

There were also three areas needing improvement. While the majority of patients felt that they were given enough privacy in the emergency department, the hospital scored below the national average for this question. Similarly, most patients rated the hospital food positively, but the hospital still scored below the national average in this area.

Also, a lower than average number of patients said they were always offered a choice of food.

87 per cent of patients said they had a good or very good experience. Mallow General Hospital received above-average scores for all stages of care and for overall experience. Participant ratings of care were generally similar to those received in 2018.

A number of areas of good experience were identified. For example, many patients said that they received clear answers to their questions about operations and treatments, and were told how they could expect to feel after a procedure.

In addition, most patients said they could find someone to talk to about their worries and fears when they needed to.

 

90 per cent of patients said they had a good or very good experience at the Mercy.

It received above-average scores for the care on the ward, discharge or transfer stages of care and for overall experience.

The hospital scored around the national average for admissions and examinations, diagnosis and treatment.

Many patients said that they were given enough privacy on the ward.

Patients also said they were generally offered a replacement meal when required.

98 per cent of patients said they had a good or very good experience. South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital received above-average scores for each stage of care and also for overall experience.

Participant ratings of care were significantly higher than in last year’s survey for both the discharge or transfer stage of care and for overall experience.

Ratings of care on the ward and examinations, diagnosis and treatment were largely similar to those received in 2018. Several areas of good experience were identified.

For example, most patients said their room or ward was very clean.

Most patients said that their family, or someone close to them, was given enough information on how to care for them.

On the other hand, a number of patients said they were not always offered a choice of food.

The hospital scored below the national average for this question and it is an area that requires improvement.