The results of the biggest health survey ever carried out in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge area have been released by the area’s MP.
Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, led the project which involved sending out 77,000 surveys to local residents. Nearly 7,000 responses were received over three months giving a picture of local people’s experiences of the NHS.
Andrew is arranging meetings with members of the hospital management, our local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCGs) and the local mental health trust to discuss how the results can be used to support local health services.
The survey received national recognition when the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, came to Harrogate and discussed the results with Mr Jones. The Health Secretary was impressed that the survey provided such a strong voice for patients.
Key results
- 95.1 per cent were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with their last GP consultation.
- 23.1 per cent have booked an appointment with their GP online.
- 59.7 per cent were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with dementia services.
- 92.2 per cent were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with their last NHS consultant consultation.
- 92.1 per cent were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with the medical aspects of their last hospital stay.
- 86.8 per cent were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with the non-medical aspects of their last hospital stay.
- 90.1 per cent were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with the last NHS dentist consultation.
- 55.8 per cent thought that parking charges at the hospital are too expensive.
- 77.1 per cent thought the NHS had stayed the same or improved over the last five years.
Commenting on the results, Andrew said:
Overwhelmingly people’s experiences of the NHS in our area have been positive.
Satisfaction ratings are high – mostly over 90 per cent – which is a tribute not just to our hard-working doctors, nurses and clinical staff but also to those who work to support them.
There are areas of concern – such as the ratings for dementia services but through my work with local dementia groups I know that this is an area where good progress is being made.
Sometimes mistakes happen and these can be serious mistakes. These mistakes are very much the exception and not the rule. I am pleased to see such support for our local NHS and recognition of the hard work of the doctors and nurses within it.
The next stage is to talk to people within our local NHS about the results to see how the answers provided by the thousands of people who took part can be used to further support our local health teams.
The survey is available on Andrew Jones’s website at www.andrewjonesmp.co.uk or for a paper copy constituents can call Andrew’s office on 01423 529614.
