The Department of Health has made mixed progress against a commitment to improve patient experience between 2005 and 2008.

Figures released today reveal the patient experience score for adult inpatients in 2007-08 was 75.3 - 0.9 points lower than the score in 2005-06 and 0.4 lower than in 2006-07.

The department's public service agreement for the comprehensive spending review period 2005-2008 stated it would "secure sustained annual national improvements in NHS patient experience by 2008, as measured by independently validated surveys, ensuring that individuals are fully involved in decisions about their healthcare, including choice of provider".

Fewer inpatients felt involved in decisions about their treatment in 2007-08 than in 2005-06. The score fell from 71.9 to 70.3.

Performance, measured by the national patient survey programme and DH research, was better for other areas of care.

Overall experience of primary care improved from 77 to 77.5 during the period and for mental health from 74.5 to 75.6.

Primary care also scored better for patients making decisions about their care, with the score rising from 81.9 in 2005-06 to 82.9.

Performance on choice of provider improved dramatically in the period from an overall score of 27.3 to 42.7.

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