An axe might be hanging over St Helier Hospital’s A&E department, but its loyal patients have an overwhelming support for the service, figures have revealed.
The NHS has hit the headlines again today after a new survey has revealed patients on 36 hospital wards would not recommend the service to relatives.
St Helier Hospital
However, according to the new “friends and family” test St Helier Hospital, which is earmarked for frontline closures, is actually among those most likely to be recommended by patients.
During June a total of 463 St Helier patients took part in the survey and a majority of 350 people said they would be “extremely likely” to recommend its A&E department.
At the other end of the spectrum just two people said they would be extremely unlikely to recommend its A&E.
The department received a score of 75 in the system which ranks hospitals from -100 to 100.
This score is way above the national average of 54 and London average of 47.
Neighbouring A&E departments, set to be expanded if St Helier loses its own department, received lower scores.
Croydon University’s A&E received a score of 50, St George’s in Tooting was given a 46 and Kingston was ranked at just 44.
Epsom’s A&E, which is also recommended for closure, received an overall score of 78.
When it came to inpatient wards St Helier also did well with an overall score of 64. A total of 193 people out of 302 said they would be “extremely likely” to recommend the service.
Again, just two people said they would be “extremely unlikely” to recommend St Helier’s inpatient services.
The friends and family test is seen as central to the government's response to the Mid Staffordshire inquiry and allows patients to view TripAdvisor-style ratings of hospitals.
The Better Services Better Value (BSBV) review of healthcare in south west London and north Surrey has recommended A&E, maternity and children’s services to close at both St Helier and Epsom hospitals.
BSBV argue that “better out of hospital care” is at the heart of their vision and they aim to drive up the quality of care and health services in the region – as well as making sure the local NHS spends its money as effectively as possible.
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