News
Political parties fail to impress voters on promises to maintain NHS
funding
27 November 2009
Neither the government nor the opposition have fared well on
their promises for the NHS in an e-survey of delegates at the NHS
Alliance’s annual conference last month.
The majority (86%) of respondents, including GPs, nurses and primary
care managers, were ‘concerned’, ‘cautious’ or ‘suspicious’ about health
secretary Andy Burnham’s promise to do all he could to protect primary
care budgets from public sector spending cuts.
And despite the Conservatives’ commitment to ‘slash’ NHS bureaucracy,
only 26% of those questioned believed the return of a Tory government at
the next election would improve the quality of patient care.
In4Health, the national communication channel for patients in GPs’
surgeries and hospitals, carried out the survey of 100 delegates at the
Alliance conference in October. In4Health staff used handheld technology
to collect answers to a questionnaire on hot topics at the conference.
Delegates were doubtful too about the government’s new initiative to
encourage patients to leave feedback about their GPs on the NHS Choices
website. Nearly half (48%) thought this would not give an accurate
picture of the quality of their GP’s care. Only 19% thought it would
give an accurate picture, while 33% were undecided.
The survey also revealed that health professionals feel taken for
granted in their jobs, and also their views of the health service as
patients.
A number admitted in the anonymous survey that they sometimes forget
to keep appointments at their own GP’s surgery or local hospital —
despite knowing the cost to the NHS of not turning up.
More than 3 out of 10 (38%) confessed to missing up to five medical
appointments with their GP or local hospital, costing the NHS around
£100 a time.
A third (33%) of respondents confessed to missing one appointment
while 5% revealed they’d missed up to five booked appointments. The NHS
Information Centre estimates that DNAs (did not attend) appointments at
hospitals cost the NHS in the region of £600 million a year.
The majority of GPs, nurses and health service workers did not feel
valued by patients, their primary care trust and the Department of
Health or government. Sixty-six percent felt unappreciated by patients,
70% said their employers did not value them and 78% said the same of the
government.
Speaking as patients, 59% of health professionals rated expert
diagnosis and advice coupled with efficient, swift treatment as the most
important factors in their healthcare experience. Only 13% rated
cleanliness and hygiene as the most important factors. And just 3% saw
choice — the ability to be seen and treated by the health professional
they wanted — as the most important.
With waiting areas the first impression many people have of the NHS,
the survey revealed frustration among health professionals who were
eager to de-clutter and overhaul public areas and make them more
welcoming. According to 57% of respondents, GP and hospital waiting
areas were over-filled with leaflets and posters, and mismatched
seating. In short, they ‘could do better’.
Louise Ford, Programme Director at In4Health commented: “The survey
gives a fascinating snapshot of the views of health professionals on a
range of vital issues, both professionally and as patients using health
services. For instance, it reveals that they are prone to forgetfulness
like the rest of us, and occasionally miss NHS appointments, despite
knowing the high cost of these.
“It’s worth noting that the majority of respondents would like to see
an improvement in public waiting areas with more modern facilities,
including up-to-date and relevant information displayed for patients.
“Another interesting finding is that the most important factor in
their healthcare experience as patients is efficient, expert diagnosis
and advice — which of course is what they and colleagues strive to
provide every single working day.”
In4Health used a Samsung Q1 Ultra Handheld PC for the NHS Alliance
survey — a new addition to In4Health’s service offer. Ford added: "It is
already proving extremely popular with patients and professionals, who
find it convenient, portable and easy to use. GPs and primary care staff
particularly like being able to reach patients out in the community and
the facility to view real-time information from patient feedback. ”
|