Patient Engagement Southport Ormskirk Hospital Ormskirk and District General Hospital Childrens, Lancashire
Download (PDF 1.71 MB)Summary of report content
On 13 December 2016 and 20 January 2017, 3 Healthwatch Lancashire representatives completed 2 Patient Engagement Days at the Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust; Ormskirk and District General Hospital Children’s Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department. The team used a survey to gather responses from patients using the A&E Service and they also used this opportunity to observe the environment.
This report reflects the views of 16 patients and their relatives spoken with at the A&E Department.
Summary of findings from the visits
• The majority of patients were from Ormskirk, Skelmersdale and Southport and the remaining specified other surroundings towns.
• The majority drove to hospital.
• The majority of patients did not speak to a health professional before attending A&E, although 25% telephoned NHS 111 before attending, 6% phoned 999, 6% spoke to their GP and 6% had been advised by a walk-in centre.
• Of the seven patients that spoke to a health professional, all of them were advised to attend A&E.
• All the patients we spoke to were happy with the service they had received so far.
Provider responses are included in the report as below and against their 3 additional questions.
1. Waiting times - once triaged, patients are seen in order of urgency/priority rather than booking-in time. However, the department will continue to ensure patients are kept informed of how long the anticipated waiting time is and discussions will take place to develop new methods of communication for this.
2. Provision of hand gel - Manager to ensure all staff aware of the need to keep all gels in working order to minimise risk of infection within the department.
3. Information boards - Department Manager to liaise with staff to ensure up to date information is displayed and old information removed.