Specialist trusts score highest across patient experience survey

Our analysis identifies the trusts which saw the best results for patient experience in the 2015 national inpatient experience survey.

HSJ compared the number of sections in the survey in which any trust has been rated as “band one” or “band three”, where band one is below the national average. The survey was conducted by Picker Europe with the Care Quality Commission, questioning patients from July 2015.

All the trusts in the top 10 were specialist trusts, reflecting a pattern normally found in patient experience scores.

The highest scoring general trusts, with accident and emergency departments, were: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals FT (8.6) and Northumbria Healthcare FT (8.4). Newcastle and Northumbria were rated above national average in the A&E section of the survey, and were eleventh and twelfth overall respectively.

Liverpool Heart and Chest Foundation Trust has had the best overall results, being rated as band three – above the national average – in all 10 of the survey’s sections it was applicable for.

LHCH chief executive Jane Tomkinson said: “We are enormously proud of this [score], which is testament to the professionalism and dedication of our staff who devote all their energies into providing outstanding levels of care for every single patient as well as their family.

“We also remain committed to listening to our patients as well as their families, and involving them as care partners in their relative’s care, if they wish.”