Experiences of Camden patients attending Chase Farm Hospital for planned surgery

Healthwatch Camden was asked by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust to conduct some research on the impact on patients of moving some planned surgery at the Royal Free Hospital to Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield. Healthwatch Camden interviewed a random selection of 25 Camden patients who had attended Chase Farm for planned surgery between September 2018 and April 2019.

Patient experience of going to Chase Farm for planned surgery is dominated by factors largely unrelated to quality of care or clinical outcomes. Patients don’t get a choice between going to Chase Farm or the Royal Free for planned surgery. Many patients are being asked to attend Chase Farm for additional appointments for routine tests prior to surgery. The distance from Camden and long, complex and expensive journeys are a major factor in negative patient experience of Chase Farm. Most patients travel to Chase Farm by taxi or private car on the day of their surgery. The cost of taxis is a major concern.

Whilst most patients had good things to say about the staff at Chase Farm, almost half of all interviewees reported a less than positive overall experience of going to Chase Farm for planned surgery. Day patients reported the waiting experience, facilities and arrangements as poor.  Patients staying overnight are mostly very positive about the en-suite bedrooms and new facilities.

The report contains eight recommendations about improving transport to hospital, improving the experience of day patients, reducing unnecessary trips to Chase Farm, providing vulnerable patients with choice of location and better provision of information.

The report includes a response from the provider outlining action taken in response to the recommendations.