Mixed picture for Arrowe Park hospital in Care Quality Commission survey

May 20 2009 by Liza Williams, Heswall News

A PATIENT survey has revealed mixed results for Merseyside hospitals.

The report, released by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), asked 72,000 people in England about their hospital stay.

The results look at all aspects of care, from cleanliness standards and A&E services to waiting lists and nursing.

Success stories included Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital, in Broadgreen, which scored among England’s best 20% for the majority of categories.

Although Arrowe Park fell within the average category for most questions, it scored within the worst 20% of trusts for operations and procedures, because patients felt surgical explanations were poor.

The Royal Liverpool Hospital was placed in the bottom 20% for its food, which the hospital now says has improved.

But it scored in the top 20% for overall patient experience and within the average national score for the majority of other questions.

St Helens and Whiston hospitals scored within the worst hospitals for A&E services and for the storage of belongings, but within the best for doctors washing their hands.

Clatterbridge fell within the country’s 20% best performing trusts in 85% of questions.

The trust results recognise cleanliness and confidence in consultants and nurses.

Director of nursing and quality Helen Porter said the Clatterbridge centre was committed to delivering excellent patient care.

“Over the last year, we’ve taken steps to make further service improvements and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and it is encouraging to see this reflected in this year’s results.

“We believe the professionalism and expertise of our nursing and medical staff is second to none – so it is extremely rewarding to see this recognised by the cancer patients that receive treatment here at our centre.”

The poll was carried out among patients at 165 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England.