Survey shows high patient satisfaction at local hospital

Almost nine out of 10 patients treated at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar this year were happy with their experience, the 2024 National Inpatient Experience Survey has found.

The survey, conducted in May, captured the experiences of 1,200 patients in public acute hospitals across Ireland including 189 who were patients at Mullingar hospital.

Analysis of the Mullingar patient responses shows the care experience was rated positively, 58% of patients describing it as “very good” and 29% as “good”.

The detailed survey consisted of 52 questions, covering inpatient experiences from admission through to discharge during their recent stay in hospital in order to find out what was working well, and where improvements could be made.

Compared to the 2022 survey findings, the 2024 results indicate an improvement in patients’ overall care experience ratings, particularly in the areas of hospital admissions and discharges, with discharges having consistently received the lowest scores in previous surveys.

In all areas of this year’s survey Regional Hospital Mullingar showed improvement. This included how the hospital and its staff dealt with admissions, and also in terms of how medical staff diagnosed, treated and cared for patients during their hospital stay.

Despite overall positive feedback, patients identified a number of key areas to be improved. They complained of a lack of written or printed information outlining post-hospital care instructions, including what patients should or should not do after discharge, and also a lack of information from staff about warning signs or danger signals to watch for after returning home.

As a result of the findings of the 2024 National Inpatients Experience Survey a number of new measures will be introduced. They include ensuring all staff implement the Mealtimes Matter principles in so far as is possible to prevent a patient missing a scheduled meal and ensuring that in the event that a patient misses the scheduled meal, ward staff can seek an alternative option from the main kitchen.

Under the communications headline, the intention is to develop a plan to roll out the National Healthcare Communication Programme to support staff to engage in effective communication with patients and their families, and to develop a Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital within the QPS department with the recruitment of a patient advice and liaison service officer, which will ensure that the patient voice is heard directly or through a nominated representative. In the area of discharge, the hospital intends identifying a suitable location for a “transition lounge” for patients, ensuring it is feasible based on the availability of appropriate staffing. All staff are to receive education on a holistic discharge process.

The hospital will also identify cases where the services of an interpreter or sign language user are required for patients being discharged, and will ensure staff have access to alternative methods of communication and are aware of the processes to source same.

Margaret Kelleher, general manager at Regional Hospital Mullingar, said: “A number of areas for improvement were identified as a result of the last National Inpatient Experience Survey. We have used the 2024 results to develop quality improvement plans, to ensure patients’ priorities are being addressed going forward.

“Thanks to our patients we have this invaluable feedback. These results offer clear insights into what we are doing well and highlight areas where we can introduce new practices and measures to drive further improvement, ensuring we continue to deliver an excellent standard of care.”

Kate Killeen White, regional executive officer, Dublin Midlands, said: “Across all hospitals surveyed, there was consistent recognition of the care and compassion demonstrated by staff throughout our facilities. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all staff for their dedication to providing high-quality healthcare and for their continued efforts on quality improvement initiatives that enhance our services. Finally, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the patients who generously shared their time to offer valuable insights into their experiences with hospital care.”

• patientexperience.ie