West Yorkshire Insight Briefing - Hospital Care
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Healthwatch across West Yorkshire undertook a survey to find out people's experiences of hospital care. 37 people responded.
Communication is a key theme. People have shared positive experiences where communication has been good. However, communication between appointments is sometimes lacking, and people have been left wondering what is happening with their care.
People said that despite increased pressures staff are caring, attentive and do all they can to provide excellent care. People said how important it is that staff show compassion, that they listen to the person and their carers/families and have time to support people through their treatment/appointment.
People are reassured by a friendly face, and a familiar face with consistency in clinicians, where possible, also helps people to feel at ease.
Coordination comes up as a key theme. This includes coordination across the system, and within administration functions. Administrative errors led to complications in accessing treatment and longer wait times.
Where people have had positive experiences, they have shared that care providers have effectively communicated with each other to provide joined-up care.
People are experiencing difficulties in getting to hospital appointments, with some people being offered appointments far away from where they live, when there may be treatment options much nearer by.
People have shared some positive examples of efficient treatment where waiting times have been good, particularly for cancer care. People felt that there is a need for more clarity on how long wait times are for to receive an appointment and treatment.
Planned discharges help to make people feel informed and not rushed, however, increased pressures have meant that sometimes discharges happen more quickly to free up hospital bed space and people do not always feel equipped to manage back at home.