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From experience in a large PCT - and this is blindingly obvious -a patient survey should meet a number of delivery criteria in order to be credible or worth while:
1.It must always be collected away from the care setting so that the patient can give an honest answer free of anxiety about repercussions.This anxiety is always there amongst patients and relatives, however unjustified it might be. Its a fact.

2.It should follow a national standard formulation

3.an arm of the NCB should perform it and report on it with league tables

4.Fundamental and specific questions should be asked based on key issues -
*when you needed to urinate or defecate, did someone come to help you quickly enough
*did you get your medicine (eg pain killers) on time
*was the food good enough
*were the nurses compassionate and concerned in their conduct to you
*did you think the ward was clean
*did the staff make clear what their jobs are
*when you rang the bell, did someone always attend promptly
*did the staff know enough about your medical history and treatment
*did the standard of care for other patients around you cause you any anxiety or concern
*did you think the ward was well managed

5.Elderly patients should have the option of nominating a relative to answer on their behalf.

It is a damning criticism of commissioners that they have felt politically unable to run independent surveys because the output has represented a threat to local provider reputations : don't blame PCTs, blame the DH which has sat on the fence on this for decades and supported the "equal balance of power" culture . Its shaming, and part of the reason why we have frequent appalling examples of patient neglect.