Good Performance and Improvements in Royal Surrey’s Inpatient Survey

The Royal Surrey performed the best in Surrey in five key areas and improved on the Trust’s 2010 result in seven areas in the 2011 CQC Inpatients Survey released today (Tuesday 24^th April). 

The areas the hospital came out top in Surrey were waiting lists and admission dates, choice of admission dates, single sex accommodation, choice of food and expectations after operations. 

Louise Stead, Director of Nursing and Patient Experience, said;

“The areas where we have performed best in Surrey are all really pleasing as these are areas where we have focused our efforts to make marked improvements in the last few years and now our hard work is coming through in the survey results.  Single sex accommodation is vital for patients’ privacy and dignity and is something that the Trust has invested heavily in over the last few years.  The Department of Health penalises Trusts who do not place patients in same sex accommodation, apart from high dependency care, but to date the Royal Surrey has not recorded any breaches since the legislation came in to force in December 2010.”

The Royal Surrey also made improvements in several areas from the Trust’s 2010 Inpatient Survey results.  Patients waiting to be admitted onto a ward, helping with eating, talking through worries and fears with staff, help when pressing the call button, explaining the operation or procedure, involving patients in decisions about their discharge and information about how to complain were all areas where the hospital had improved from 2010.

The Trust’s highest result overall was for the availability of hand-wash gels; scoring 9.8 out of 10.  Ensuring patients, visitors and staff wash their hands is very important for infection control and preventing the spread of germs.  The Trust has seen record low numbers of C.diff and MRSA , with only one case of MRSA, in the last year which is testament to the good culture of regular hand washing around the hospital.

Louise Stead concludes;

“Although we have had a good year during some very tough times, we must not become complacent.  Our results are on a par with other Trusts in the country but next year we need to see further improvements and our results to show us above average in some key areas.  This year will be challenging with the financial squeeze and increased activity but we have a wonderful team at the Royal Surrey and I know we can keep improving the experience for our patients.”