Survey reveals high levels of satisfaction with health and social care services

Eight out of ten people in Northern Ireland are happy with the health and social care services they received last year.

The latest public attitudes survey was carried out in 2006 and involved interviews with around 1500 people.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey welcomed the generally positive findings but said that the survey also highlights scope for improvement.

He said: “This survey shows that progress has been made and that standards are high across many aspects of health and social care provision in Northern Ireland. Health and social care staff are to be commended for their dedication in achieving these standards, particularly during a time of change and upheaval in the health service.

“There is still much to be done, both in making further progress in areas showing a high level of satisfaction and in tackling the issues which the public have clearly said are of concern to them.

“I shall be looking for further improvements in the public's level of satisfaction to reflect the significant advances which have been made in access to services and waiting times.

"I shall also be looking for improvements in the public's level of satisfaction with the standards of food, cleanliness and privacy in hospitals and the effectiveness of the service in resolving complaints.”

For the first time, the survey has sought public views on tackling healthcare-associated infections, such as MRSA.

He said: “The findings highlight the public’s concern and a sense that not enough is being done. This is another important area in which progress must be made.

“The survey also shows that the public responds to health promotion messages, resulting in 65% indicating some positive changes to their behaviour in the last 12 months - eating more fruit and vegetables, other improvements to diet, taking more exercise, reducing alcohol consumption and stopping smoking. This demonstrates the importance of the cross-departmental Investing for Health strategy with more emphasis on preventing illness through healthier lifestyles.

“In taking health and social care services forward in Northern Ireland, I am determined that we shall listen to the public on what they see as important in delivering the high standards they have the right to demand and deserve."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The survey was undertaken by Social and Market Research during 2006 and was based on telephone interviews with a representative sample of 1,500 people aged 18 and over living in Northern Ireland.

Summary of Key Findings

• Overall the results of the 2006 survey remain positive. Overall level of satisfaction was 82% in 2006 compared with 78% in 2005, 79% in 2004 and 74% in 2003.
• Pharmacy services were rated highly, with 99% of respondents satisfied with the service provided.
• 95% of respondents were satisfied with GP services.
• 96% of respondents were satisfied with the service that they received from their dentist.
• 96% of respondents were satisfied with outpatients services.
• 95% of respondents were satisfied with day surgery services.
• Frustration with waiting lists contributed to lower levels of satisfaction.
• During a stay in hospital, patients ranked better hospital food (14%), increased hospital cleanliness and more privacy (11%) as the top three areas for suggested service improvement.
• As a result of seeing health promotion messages, 52% of those surveyed indicated that they had increased their intake of fruit and vegetables, while 43% had increased their level of exercise. Men were less likely than women to change their behaviour as a result of seeing public health messages.
• 65% of respondents who indicated having a knowledge of complaints, perceived health and social services to be ineffective in this regard.
• 91% of respondents were aware of healthcare-associated infections, such as MRSA; of those, 77% were concerned about it. Less than one in four respondents felt that the issue was being adequately addressed.

2. A copy of the survey is available to download from http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/io-public_attitudes_survey.pdf

3. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 90520571