The latest independent survey of patients admitted to Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District hospitals shows 93 per cent rated their overall experience with the highest ratings of “very good” or “good“.
The Bureau of Health Information Adult Admitted Patient Survey includes responses from over 900 patients who were admitted to NBMLHD hospitals in 2017.
The survey polls patients’ views and experiences on a wide range of clinical and non-clinical topics and how staff delivered care.
A total of 96 per cent of patients rated their doctors as “very good” or “good” and 84 per cent reported all hospital staff always treated them with respect and dignity.
Seventy-four per cent reported the care they received in hospital “definitely” helped.
At the district’s busiest hospital, Nepean, 74 per cent of patients said they would “speak highly” of their experience.
Despite the growing demand for services and the number of patients being seen at Nepean, 95 per cent of patients reported staff were “always polite and courteous” on their arrival, which was higher than similar hospitals across NSW.
At Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital in Katoomba, 96 per cent of patients said staff in the emergency department were polite and courteous compared to 93 per cent of patients at similar hospitals in NSW.
NBMLHD chief executive Kay Hyman said the survey reflected the district’s focus on putting patients at the centre of everything it does.
“The survey data is one of the valuable tools we use to measure how we’re doing. I’m pleased the results show our staff are providing compassionate care while delivering world class clinical care,” she said.
“Patients must always be at the heart of what we do and we are working hard to further improve our services.”
While 79 per cent of patients did not experience any delay in their discharge, those who did reported the most common cause was waiting to see a doctor and waiting for a letter they could take to their GP.
Since the survey in 2017, measures to help smooth the discharge process have been introduced or expanded, including “criteria-led discharge” where clinicians who are not doctors, such as nurses or occupational therapists, can discharge patients whose recovery is on track.
Information sharing with patients’ GPs has also improved with the increased use of electronic medical records.
At Lithgow Hospital, also a part of NBMLHD, patients commended the facility on providing a quiet environment with 74 per cent saying noise did not wake them up during their admission, compared to 66 per cent of patients in similar hospitals.
