The survey reflects the Emergency Department (ED) experiences of 994 patients at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Griffith Base Hospital, Deniliquin Hospital and Young Hospital in MLHD from July 2021 to June 2022, which included the Delta and Omicron waves of COVID-19.
MLHD’s Chief Executive Jill Ludford said the results are a reflection of the exceptional efforts of staff who provided high-quality care while dealing with high demand, additional safety measures and staff furloughing due to COVID-19.
“Overall, the majority of patients (89 per cent) said the care they received in the EDs was ‘very good’ or ‘good’ during this period. A majority (91 per cent) also rated the ED health staff who cared for them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’,” Ms Ludford said.
“Our ED staff are there for our communities around the clock, every day of the year, so it is pleasing to see a majority of patients (82 per cent) say that staff were ‘always’ kind and caring and 86 per cent say they were ‘always’ treated with respect and dignity.”
More than 8 in 10 patients (86 per cent) rated how well ED health professionals worked together as a team as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ and more than eight in 10 patients (85 per cent) said ED staff checked in with them while they were waiting to be treated.
Patients in ED are always triaged and seen according to the clinical urgency of their condition. During busy times, those with less urgent conditions will experience longer wait times when there are high numbers of seriously unwell patients being prioritised and treated.
Ms Ludford said the district welcomes the opportunity to hear from patients, their families and carers about their hospital experiences as the feedback is used to inform and enhance patient care.
"We want to thank all our patients who took the time to complete the survey. We value their responses and will use this information to develop new ways to care for our patients and better ways to communicate with them,” Ms Ludford said.
Visit the Bureau of Health Information website to view the patient survey results.
