By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM’S only public hospital has been given an overall thumbs-up by its patients, according to the latest State Government survey results.
Minister for Health David Davis announced last week that Werribee Mercy Hospital had received a score of 79.2 out of 100 from patients in the Victorian Patient Satisfaction Monitor Annual Report for July 2011 to June 2012.
“For the second year running, Victorian public hospitals have recorded significant increases in patient satisfaction, with patients consistently rating their hospital experience between ‘good’ and ‘excellent’, and more than half of our hospitals achieving a ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’ rating,” Mr Davis said.
“These results, direct from patients, are testament to our dedicated doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who can be truly proud of the difference they make to the lives of Victorian patients each and every day.”
Mr Davis said that for the first time, input from patients visiting emergency departments had been included in the monitor.
Werribee Mercy narrowly missed out on being rated very good to excellent, which requires a score of above 80.
The hospital’s score placed in the “good to very good” category while a score of 41 to 60 would rank a hospital as “fair to good”.
A score of below 40 would place a hospital in the “poor to fair” category.
“Based on the survey, the areas with the highest level of satisfaction were the courtesy of nurses and doctors, being treated with respect, personal safety and helpfulness of staff,” Mr Davis said.
“Areas for improvement included quality of food, storage facilities, waiting room comfort, explanation of hospital procedures and restfulness of the hospital.”
Waiting for treatment and comfort and a lack of facilities were other areas needing improvement, according to the survey.
