Patient Engagement Day at Spiral, Bispham Unit
Download (PDF 449.09 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Lancashire summarises feedback gathered from 27 patients and relatives at the Spiral, Bispham Unit during a patient engagement day on 11 January 2016. The purpose of the exercise was to collect first-hand experiences to help improve health and social care services, recognising that patients and their families provide valuable insight into how services operate.
Overall, respondents rated their experience positively, with an average score of 4.1 out of 5. Ratings across specific areas were also high, including care and compassion from staff (4.4), cleanliness (4.4), waiting times (4.4), quality of service (4.3), medical treatment (4.3), and the building and environment (4.3). Food, information provided, and ease of getting appointments all scored slightly lower but still positive, at around 4.0 to 4.1.
Qualitative feedback highlighted that most patients were very satisfied with the service, describing it as friendly, supportive, and of high quality, with many stating they had no issues with their care. Staff were generally praised, particularly physiotherapy services, although some concerns were raised about staffing levels and frequent changes in staff, which some patients found confusing.
Some issues were identified relating to the environment, including complaints about the ward being too cold, uncomfortable mattresses, and noise disrupting sleep. Feedback on food was mostly positive, though not unanimously so, while practical aspects such as free parking were appreciated.
A major theme in the comments was concern and disappointment about the planned closure of the unit, with many patients expressing uncertainty about future access to similar services and regret at losing the facility.
In response, Spiral Health CIC thanked participants for their feedback, noted that it would use the findings to inform service improvements, and confirmed that the unit would close on 31 March 2016 as services were transferred back to Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation.