National statistics

Patient experience overall measure: 2011 inpatient survey update

Statistics from the Department of Health on how patients experience care in the NHS in England, updated to include results from the 2011 inpatient survey.

Documents

Latest patient experience release in full

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Details

The latest National Statistics on the overall patient experience measure, produced by the Department of Health (DH) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), were released on 24 April 2012.

For further information on these statistics and other documentation required under the Code of Practice for Official Statistics see patient experience notes and guidance.

These data are also available in excel and csv format as well as some supporting tools.

Background

This publication updates this regular statistical series to include results from the 2011 adult inpatient survey. Patients were eligible for the 2011 inpatient survey if they were aged 16 years or older, had at least one overnight stay and were not admitted to maternity or psychiatric units. Trusts chose 1 month out of June, July and August 2011 in which to conduct the survey.

The statistics use responses that NHS patients gave in the wide-ranging national patient survey programme to calculate a set of scores to measure patient views on the care they receive. The statistics include scores for 5 headline ‘domains’ of patient experience, together with an overall measure. The figures are calculated the same way for each update, with the intention of allowing results to be compared over time.

The earliest data relate to 2002. This update adds scores derived from the 2011 survey of adult outpatients, for which a separate summary of results was published by the CQC on 24 April 2012.

The next confirmed update of these statistics is expected in April 2013, and will include results from the 2012 survey of inpatient services.

Key findings

Patient experience of NHS adult inpatient services showed no change overall in 2011. The overall score was 75.6 out of 100, compared to 75.7 in 2010 (where 80 would suggest that patients, on average, found the service ‘very good’).

The score for the domain ‘access & waiting’ decreased from 84.2 in 2010 to 83.8 in 2011. This was largely a result of a decreased score for a question about whether patients felt that they waited a long time to be admitted to hospital.

There were no changes in the other 4 domains of National Statistics.

Feedback

The DH aims to make its National Statistics accessible, useful and appropriate for the needs of users. We welcome feedback on our statistics. Comments can be sent by email to the lead statistician for this publication, Edward Aveyard on statsonexperience@dh.gsi.gov.uk or you can download the feedback form.

National Statistics

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

  • meet identified user needs

  • are well explained and readily accessible

  • are produced according to sound methods

  • are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.

Published 24 April 2012