What’s it like being in a hospital waiting room? People’s views: Birmingham Dental Hospital
Download (PDF 4.32 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Birmingham undertook research about the quality of service in waiting rooms in Birmingham Hospitals following feedback from the public. This report presents the results for the Birmingham Dental Hospital. The research was based on feedback directly from patients who were in hospital waiting rooms, an online questionnaire, in-depth interviews and focus groups with other third-sector organisations to collect the experiences of people who have a visual and/or hearing impairment. They spoke to 46 people about their experiences at this hospital.
The research found that patients were very appreciative of the care and treatment they received from the hospital. Most people taking part found staff to be professional and helpful. They fully involved patients in making decisions about their treatment. However, concerns raised should not be overlooked, particularly in relation to access for people with disabilities (both to the building itself and to toilet facilities), and consideration of the needs of people with visual or hearing impairments in the way patients are notified that it is their turn to see the dentist.
The report contains 5 recommendations designed to address the issues uncovered by this research. It also contains a response from the provider outlining the changes it intends to make as a result.