Inpatient Survey reveal improvements required at Shropshire’s main hospitals

The survey was completed by over 500 people who were inpatients last August, a month before the current Trust Chief Executive Peter Herring joined the Trust.

The survey found that patients rated The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust as "worse" than average in a number of areas.

Patients particularly highlighted that they felt they were not given enough information about their condition in the A&E department. They also felt doctors talked about them "as if they weren't there".

On leaving hospital, patients completing the survey gave the Trust a clear signal that a lot of improvement is needed in discharge arrangements, for example having enough information about medications, and involving family and carers in the discharge process.

Overall, patients said that they were not asked to give views on the quality of their care during their hospital stay, and were not given information about how to complain.

Speaking about the results, Mr Herring said:

"To be frank, the results are probably a fair reflection of what it has felt like in our hospitals over recent months, given how busy we have been with unacceptable waits for emergency and planned treatment and high levels of cancellations.

"I know how hard everyone is working, so I also know that it is disappointing when the passion and commitment of frontline staff and those who support them is not being translated into the experience we aspire to deliver for our patients.

"The results are disappointing, but for me they provide a really useful benchmark as they are a snapshot of care in this Trust around the time I joined you. They give me an important starting point as your Chief Executive and some clear priorities for improvement."

In a letter to staff, Mr Herring also highlighted that robust action is under way to bring about improvements in local hospitals.