Patients to be surveyed about out of hospital care

Patients to be surveyed about out of hospital care

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Patients from over 20 general practices across New Zealand will be asked about their care outside of hospital, in a trial of an online survey taking place from July to October.

The survey, created by the Health Quality & Safety Commission (the Commission) and the Ministry of Health, asks about a patient’s experience of primary care over the past 12 months including the level and quality of service they experienced during GP visits, medications they were prescribed, tests ordered and what other services or health professionals they were referred to.

Commission Director Health Quality Evaluation, Richard Hamblin, says survey findings will help ensure our health services provide the best possible care.

“We already survey patients about the care they receive in hospital, but this is the first time we have surveyed patients nationally about their experience of care outside hospitals.

“We want to know more about how patients’ overall care is managed between their general practice, diagnostic services, specialists, and hospital staff.

“Survey invitations are emailed or texted to patients from participating PHOs via a national system. They complete the survey online and their anonymous responses will be used to improve the quality of our health care service and patient safety.”

The trial comes after comprehensive survey development, testing, and feedback from patients, primary health organisations, general practitioners, and the Ministry of Health. A phased rollout of the survey is expected to begin from late 2015, which will include the general practices at the PHOs already involved and PHOs interested in joining the first wave. Other PHOs and practices are expected to be able to use the survey from 2016.

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