Survey of Patients: Royal Oldham Hospital Emergency Department

Healthwatch Oldham undertook an engagement exercise at the Emergency Department at Royal Oldham Hospital in partnership with the Emergency Department at Royal Oldham Hospital.  They carried out a survey of 58 people who attended the Emergency Department and did not require admission to hospital. Detailed follow up questionnaires were undertaken with 22 of the 58 surveyed.

Most people had a positive experience because they encountered caring staff who explained things clearly to them and they didn’t have to wait too long.  People who were less satisfied experienced staff with a lack of empathy, problems with test results, long waiting times, people on their own or with hearing impairments not being able to or hear the member of staff calling their name as they stood at the back of the room or being worried about missing their turn when taking a comfort break and the impact of patients or their friends and relatives smoking by the doors to the Emergency Department.  There were also concerns that at particularly busy times, people couldn’t find a wheelchair to use and that they had problems parking them up in the department without being in the way of others.

There were three recommendations about the quality of care, staff training and being aware of the needs of patients on their own.  

The report doesn’t contain a response from the provider.