10 November 2009

Minister releases results from the 2009 Patient Survey

A state-wide survey examining patient’s experiences of the NSW public health system has found 91 per cent rated their care as good, very good or excellent.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt, said the results of the NSW Health 2009 Patient Survey would be released today and provide a snapshot of the system from the perspective of those who use it.

“We aim to ensure the patient is at the centre of everything we do in healthcare, so having direct feedback is extremely valuable,” Ms Tebbutt said.

The 2009 survey was compiled based on responses from around 80,000 patients across all eight Area Health Services, as well as the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

The vast majority of patients - 91 percent - rated their care as good, very good or excellent, compared to 88 percent in 2007. This figure was even higher, at 94 percent, for those aged 60 and over.

The key highlights of NSW Health 2009 Patient Survey include:
• 95 percent of day-only patients believed their doctors and nurses worked well together;
• 95 percent of community health clients were provided with complete care for their problems.
• 83 percent of patients seen and discharged from an Emergency Department said they had received a good explanation about the care they received; and
• 95 percent of overnight patients described the nursing staff as courteous.

Being treated with respect and dignity, having confidence in health professionals and nursing staff readily available in the wards are critical to quality patient care. Patients rate these measures as performing well.

“The positive results from this survey are a testament to the skill and dedication of our health profession and I thank them for their hard work,” Ms Tebbutt said.

“Importantly, the survey also provides an insight into what can be improved, including more emotional support, information and education for patients and their families.

“And, the survey also emphasised that waiting times in Emergency Departments remained an issue for patients.

“Through Caring Together – the Health Action Plan for NSW – the Government is aiming to improve performance in areas such as these.

“Improving the Emergency Department experience for patients is a key priority in the Government’s Action Plan and we have invested $14.8 million over four years to appoint 30 new Clinical Initiative Nurses.

“Commissioner Garling identified that NSW has one of the better public health care systems in the developed world, but we recognise the challenges that are still there and we are working hard to respond to them,” Ms Tebbutt added.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au