Harrogate’s Emergency Department rated best in country

The latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) national Emergency Department Patient Survey results show that patients rank Harrogate District Hospital joint first out of 136 trusts.

Patients who received care at the hospital’s A&E rated their overall experience 8.6 out of 10 - an increase of 0.4 from last year.

The survey found that patients felt more reassured and involved in their care and treatment, with an increase in scores in the majority of questions compared to previous year’s results.

The most improved area was ‘tests’, with more patients than before saying staff members explained why they needed tests and what the results were in a clear and understandable way.

Responses were received from 325 patients, a response rate of 36 per cent of those invited to respond.

Ros Tolcher, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These results reflect the tremendous commitment of colleagues in the Emergency Department and across the hospital who work tirelessly to provide high quality patient care. I would like to thank colleagues across the Trust and at our partner organisations, who play vital roles in helping to deliver timely, safe and appropriate, emergency care.

“This is an excellent report and complements a number of other ways by which we measure patient experience, such as the Friends and Family test and through our Patient Experience Team, to help us build up a comprehensive understanding of what our patients think about us. It really does help us learn and improve.”

Matt Shepherd, lead consultant in the Emergency Department, said: “I’m delighted that patients’ views and experiences with us in the Emergency Department mean we are ranked joint highest in the country. That’s an incredible accolade and we’re all very proud.

“Harrogate, like much of the country, has experienced ever-increasing numbers of patients coming to the Emergency Department. Many of the patients we are seeing are very poorly and need admission to hospital.

“However, attendances at the Emergency Department with non-emergency conditions mean longer waits for those patients who really do need care, as well as extra pressure on our staff throughout the Trust. Colleagues are working very hard to cope with the demand but we need local people to help by only coming to the department when really necessary.”