June 1, 2012
NHSG/58/12
Patient Opinion sought in Moray
Patients, carers and relatives in Moray are being asked to anonymously share their experiences of healthcare at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin the week commencing the 4th June.
Patient Opinion, an independent, non-profit social enterprise which runs a website where people can anonymously share their experiences of healthcare, good and bad, is being launched.
Patient Opinion is working closely with NHS Grampian, helping them with this new way to listen to patients and relatives.
Anne Marie Walsh, Clinical Quality Facilitator, NHS Grampian said: "Patient Opinion gives people a way of sharing what they think of the services they have received, to say what was good, and why, about their care and treatment and also make suggestions about how NHS Grampian could be improved. People can also see how NHS Grampian responds to these issues, concerns and compliments and what changes they make as a result."
"We have a host of leaflets, cards and caption sheets showing the public how to do share their experiences on Patient Opinion. We will also have laptop on the day which we will use to upload stories right away."
This work is being supported and facilitated by and Anne Marie and Gina Alexander, Engagement and Support Officer, Patient Opinion.
The work will primarily focus on Wards 5, 6 and 7, A & E and then move on to outpatients. As well as gathering general patient experience the team will also focus on improvement targets that were identified from national The Better Together Survey carried out in 2010.
Linda Oldroyd, Nurse Consultant Patient Safety and Experience and Manager of Feedback Service said: "Encouraging and listening to patient and carer feedback is crucial to helping NHS Grampian shape services for the future. Patient Opinion is providing a forum for people who might not otherwise tell us what they think. The more ways in which people can give us feedback, the better for all."
Patient Opinion has been used in a number of NHS Boards in Scotland to pilot the use of social media as a tool for seeking feedback from patients, relatives and carers on their experiences in healthcare.