What's it like being in a hospital waiting room - Birmingham City Hospital
Download (PDF 4.02 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Birmingham undertook research about the quality of service in waiting rooms in Birmingham Hospitals following feedback from the public. This report presents the results for Birmingham City Hospital. The research was based on feedback directly from patients who were in hospital waiting rooms, an online questionnaire, in-depth interviews and focus groups with other third-sector organisations to collect the experiences of people who have a visual and/or hearing impairment. They spoke to 49 people about their experiences at Birmingham City Hospital.
Many of the patients who took part in this study experienced problems when waiting for treatment and in accessing services. They found that waiting times were long, and this was exacerbated by a poorly heated environment, uncomfortable seating, dirty waiting areas and toilets, and lack of refreshments. People with disabilities, including people with visual and/or hearing impairments, faced considerable issues, ranging from not being able to find space for a wheelchair, not being offered a BSL interpreter and unhelpful staff attitude.
The report contains 12 recommendations designed to address the issues uncovered by this research. It also contains a response from the provider outlining the changes it intends to make as a result.