choosing your hospital - nhs · 2008. 1. 18. · choosing your hospital south tyneside primary care...

Choosing your hospitalSouth Tyneside

Primary Care Trust

For most medical conditions, you can now choose whereand when to have your treatment.

This booklet explains more about choosing your hospital.

You will also find information about the hospitals you canchoose from.

Second editionDecember 2006

Contents

What is patient choice? 1

Making your choice 2

How to use this booklet 3

Where can I have my treatment? 4

Your hospitals A to Z 7

Your questions answered 24

How to book your appointment 26

What do the specialty names mean? 27

What does the healthcare jargon mean? 29

Where can I find more information and support? 31

How do your hospitals score? 32

Hospital score table 36

What is

patient choice?If you and your GP decide that you need to see a specialist for moretreatment, you can now choose where and when to have yourtreatment from a list of hospitals or clinics.

Why has patient choice been introduced?Research has shown that patients want to be more involved in makingdecisions and choosing their healthcare. Most of the patients who areoffered a choice of hospital consider the experience to be positive andvaluable. The NHS is changing to give you more choice and flexibilityin how you are treated.

Your choicesYour local choices are included in this booklet. If you do not want toreceive your treatment at a local hospital, your GP will be able to tellyou about your choices of other hospitals across England.

As well as the hospitals listed in this booklet, your GP may be able tosuggest community-based services, such as GPs with Special Interestsor community clinics. Or, if your GP decides to refer you to a ClinicalAssessment Service and you then need to go to hospital, you will beable to choose from this list of hospitals.

General information 1

Making your choiceIn choosing where to have your outpatient appointment, you will bechoosing where to receive your full treatment, if you need it. This willinclude your initial outpatient appointment and any otherappointments for treatment (for example, inpatient care) or aftercare.

However, if you are not happy with your chosen hospital after youroutpatient appointment, your GP can make you an appointment atanother hospital.

If you need very specialised care, you may need to be referred toanother hospital. You may also be transferred to another specialtyif the hospital doctor feels that this is more appropriate for yourcondition.


How to use this bookletThis booklet includes information about your choice of hospitals.

Use the ‘Where can I have my treatment?’ table on page 4 tofind out which hospitals offer your treatment.You can then find information about individual hospitals. Thisstarts on page 7.You can also find out how your hospital scores against a numberof measures, some of which are patients’ views. Thisinformation starts on page 36.

You will also find other information in this booklet to help you makeyour choice. You can use the 'Contents list' at the beginning of thebooklet to find this information.

You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk

Your local library can help you use the internet to search for moreinformation on choosing your hospital. See the 'Where can I findmore information and support?' page later in this booklet for somewebsite addresses that you can use.


Where can I have my treatment? Use the chart below to check which hospitals provide the service you

need. In addition to the hospitals listed, your GP may be able to refer

you to community-based or other services. Ask him or her what’s

available in your local area. He or she will also advise you if the service

you need is not listed. Specialty name

Hospital provider

BUPA Hospital Washingtonpage 7

City Hospitals Sunderland NHSFoundation Trust

page 8

Cobalt NHS Treatment Centrepage 9

County Durham and DarlingtonAcute Hospitals NHS Trust

page 10Gateshead Health NHS

Foundation Trustpage 13

Northumbria Healthcare NHSFoundation Trust

page 14South Tyneside NHS Foundation

Trustpage 19

Hospital information 4

Specialty name

Hospital provider

The Newcastle Nuffield Hospitalpage 20

The Newcastle upon TyneHospitals NHS Foundation Trust

page 21


To find out more about the hospitals you can choose fromgo to page 7

To find out what these specialties mean go to page 27.

BUPA Hospital Washingtonwww.bupahospitals.co.uk/washington

BUPA Hospital Washington offers comprehensive hospital services topatients from the north of England, including Sunderland, Durham,Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne, and is within easy reach of theA1(M). The hospital offers a wide range of surgical specialities, andextensive outpatient services. We are accredited by BUPA as a specialistcentre for breast care and bowel cancer treatment.

BUPA Hospital Washington

Picktree Lane,Rickleton, Washington,Tyne and Wear,NE38 9JZTel: 0191 4151272

Trains: Durham. Eight miles.Buses: Go NorthEast. 08456060260.Parking: Free on-site parking.


City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trustwww.sunderland.nhs.uk/chs

We manage several sites, offering a range of services, including specialistservices in ENT, oral, urology and renal (kidney). Recent improvementsinclude a new cardiac centre, new ward and theatre accommodationand a brand new surgical day case unit. Our Eye Infirmary is a regionaleye treatment centre, with a recently opened second cataract theatre.We have held the Healthcare Commission's three-star rating for the pastfive years.

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland Royal Hospital,Kayll Road, Sunderland,Tyne and Wear,SR4 7TPTel: 0191 565 6256

Trains: Sunderland. Two miles.Tube Station: Millfield. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.

Sunderland Eye Infirmary

Sunderland Eye Infirmary,Queen Alexandra Road, Sunderland,Tyne and Wear,SR2 9HPTel: 0191 565 6256

Trains: Sunderland. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


Cobalt NHS Treatment Centrewww.capio.co.uk/nhs

This centre is a purpose-built day case centre in Cobalt Business Park,North Tyneside. It provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment ofcommon medical conditions, and has a suite of outpatient rooms,treatment rooms and counselling facilities. The theatre undertakes arange of surgical procedures.

Cobalt NHS Treatment Centre

Cobalt Business Park,Silverlink North, North Tyneside,Tyne and Wear,NE27 0BYTel: 0191 270 3250

Trains: Newcastle. Four miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Free on-site parking.


County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trustwww.cddah.nhs.uk

The Trust received a Healthcare Commission three-star rating in 2005.We provide healthcare from three main hospitals: University Hospital ofNorth Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop AucklandGeneral Hospital and some services from other community hospitals. Weoffer care in modern, clean facilities, including two cardiac suites atDurham and Darlington, and an NHS Treatment Centre at BishopAuckland for routine surgery.

Bishop Auckland GeneralHospital

Cockton Hill Road,Bishop Auckland, County Durham,DL14 6ADTel: 01388 455000

Trains: Bishop Auckland. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Chester le Street CommunityHospital

Front Street,Chester le Street, County Durham,DH3 5ATTel: 0191 333 2333

Trains: Chester le Street. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Darlington Memorial Hospital

Hollyhurst Road,Darlington, County Durham,DL3 6HXTel: 01325 380100

Trains: Darlington. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

To see how yourhospital scores seepage 32



Shotley Bridge CommunityHospital

Shotley Bridge,Consett, County Durham,DH8 0NBTel: 0191 333 2333

Trains: n/aBuses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

University Hospital of NorthDurham

North Road,Durham, County Durham,DH1 5TWTel: 0191 333 2333

Trains: Durham. Less than half amile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trustwww.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk

The Trust is in Gateshead, across the river from Newcastle upon Tyne.Queen Elizabeth Hospital provides general healthcare and some specialistservices (eg, gynaecological cancers). All patients treated in the NorthEast NHS Surgery Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital have single rooms.Waiting times for both inpatients and outpatients are rated as 'excellent'by the Healthcare Commission (2005).

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill,Gateshead, Tyne and WearTel: 0191 4820000

Trains: Heworth. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trustwww.northumbria.nhs.uk

The Trust holds a 2005 Healthcare Commission foundation rating andoffers healthcare from ten hospital sites, to a population of over half amillion. We focus on providing quality care, and are rated as 'excellent'for inpatient and outpatient waiting times (Healthcare Commission,2006). We have achieved Investors in People Practice Plus (2006) andhold Top Hospitals awards for 2001 and 2003 from the benchmarkingcompany, CHKS.

Berwick Infirmary

Berwick Infirmary,Infirmary Square, Berwick-upon-Tweed,Northumberland,TD15 1LTTel: 01289 356600

Trains: Berwick. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Alnwick Infirmary

Alnwick Infirmary,South Road, Alnwick,Northumberland,NE66 2NSTel: 01665 626700

Trains: Alnmouth. Four miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Blyth Community Hospital

Blyth Community Hospital,Thoroton Street, Blyth,Northumberland,NE24 1DXTel: 01670 396400

Trains: Morpeth. More than tenmiles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Coquetdale Cottage Hospital

Coquetdale Cottage Hospital,Rothbury, Morpeth,Northumberland,NE65 7TTTel: 01669 620555

Trains: n/aBuses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.




Haltwhistle War MemorialHospital

Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital,Westgate, Haltwhistle,Northumberland,NE49 9AJTel: 01434 320225

Trains: Haltwhistle. Less than half amile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Hexham General Hospital

Hexham General Hospital,Corbridge Road, Hexham,Northumberland,NE46 1QJTel: 01434 655655

Trains: Hexham. Up to half a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.




Morpeth Cottage Hospital

Morpeth Cottage Hospital,South Road, Morpeth,Northumberland,NE61 2BTTel: 01670 395600

Trains: Morpeth. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

North Tyneside GeneralHospital

North Tyneside General Hospital,Rake Lane, North Shields,Tyne and Wear,NE29 8NHTel: 0191 2596660

Trains: Newcastle. Eight miles.Tube Station: North Shields. Threemiles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.




Sir GB Hunter MemorialHospital

Sir GB Hunter Memorial Hospital,The Green, Wallsend,Tyne and Wear,NE28 7PBTel: 0191 2205953

Trains: Newcastle. Seven miles.Tube Station: Wallsend. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Wansbeck General Hospital

Wansbeck General Hospital,Woodhorn Lane, Ashington,Northumberland,NE63 9JJTel: 01670 521212

Trains: Morpeth. Six miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trustwww.sthct.co.uk

The Trust is based at South Tyneside District Hospital in South Shields,Tyne and Wear, between Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland. It hasbeen awarded three stars for the past three years by the HealthcareCommission, which also rated its inpatient waiting times as 'excellent' in2005. It was selected as one of the Top 40 Hospitals in the country bythe independent benchmarking company, CHKS (2005).

South Tyneside DistrictHospital

Harton Lane,South Shields, Tyne and Wear,NE34 0PLTel: 08448 113030

Trains: Tyne Dock Metro. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


The Newcastle Nuffield Hospitalwww.nuffieldhospitals.org.uk

The Newcastle Nuffield Hospital is a 40-bed facility located close toNewcastle train station. Patients are cared for in private rooms, allequipped with ensuite facilities, have access to a phone and TV, and canpurchase newspapers.

The Newcastle NuffieldHospital

Clayton Road,Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne andWear,NE2 1JPTel: 0800 0155020

Trains: Newcastle. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Free on-site parking.


The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustwww.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a majoruniversity teaching trust. It provides a full range of secondary, tertiaryand specialised healthcare services from its three sites. The Trust hascommitted to modernising and investing in its services, with a £300mdevelopment programme currently under way. The Trust was named'Hospital of the Year' in 2004 in the Sunday Times Dr Foster GoodHospital Guide.

Freeman Hospital

Freeman Road,High Heaton,Newcastle upon Tyne,Tyne and Wear,NE7 7DNTel: 0191 233 6161

Trains: Newcastle. Three miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustwww.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk

Newcastle General Hospital

Westgate Road,Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne andWear,NE4 6BETel: 0191 233 6161

Trains: Newcastle. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Queen Victoria Road,Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne andWear,NE1 4LPTel: 0191 233 6161

Trains: Newcastle. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Your questions answered

Is patient choice offered for all medical conditions?A choice of hospital is available for most medical conditions. However,not all hospitals treat every medical condition and some patients mayneed a more specialist service.

What if I don’t want to choose?You do not have to make the decision yourself. If you prefer, your GPcan still make the choice for you and recommend a hospital for yourtreatment.

What if I don’t want to go to a different hospital?You don’t have to. If you would rather visit the hospital that youusually go to, you can make that choice.

Will I have to pay?No, not as an NHS patient. All the hospitals listed provide services toNHS patients. As long as you choose one of the hospitals listed in thisbooklet, you won’t have to pay.


Is there help available for my travel arrangements to get tohospital?If your GP or the person who has referred you decides that you have amedical need for transport, patient transport services should beprovided. You may also have your travel expenses paid through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme, if you get Jobseeker’s Allowance,Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit, or qualifyunder the low-income scheme.

Where’s best for me?You might want to think about how you will get to hospital or whomight pick you up when your treatment has finished. If you are goingto be in hospital for a while, do you want to be close to family andfriends? You may also want to think about how quickly you want tobe treated. Would you be willing to travel further away if it meant thatyou could be treated quicker? Or you may have a different priority –hospital cleanliness or location, for example. The information in thisbooklet can help you make your choice based on the things thatmatter to you. You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk.


How to book your appointment

What you need to doHow ever you are being referred, your GP or practice team will let youknow what you need to do.

Once you have left your GP practice, you can speak to your localsupport services for more help with choosing your hospital. Theircontact details are on the back page of this booklet.

Using Choose and BookGPs may use a computer system to book your first outpatientappointment. This is called Choose and Book. This system gives youmore control over when you book your appointment. Your GP orpractice team can give you a leaflet called ‘An introduction to Chooseand Book for patients’ that will give you more information.

Without Choose and BookIf your GP is not yet using Choose and Book, he or she will send aletter to your choice of hospital and can also send you a copy. Thehospital will then contact you to make an appointment.


What do the specialty namesmean?Cardiology Heart and blood vessels.

Dermatology Skin, hair and nails.

Ear, nose and throat(ENT)

Ear, nose and throat disorders.

Gastroenterology Digestive system, including the liver, stomach,intestines and oesophagus.

General medicine Non-surgical treatment of diseases of theinternal organs, especially in adults.

General surgery Surgical treatment of abdominal organs, thethyroid gland and hernia.

Gynaecology Organs of the female reproductive system.

Neurology Nervous system, including the brain, spinalcord and nerves.

Ophthalmology Eye disorders, including injuries, infections,tumours and cataracts.

Oral-maxillo surgery Mouth and facial surgery.

Paediatrics Diagnosing, treating and preventing diseasesin children.


Rheumatology Inflammatory diseases of the muscles andjoints, including arthritis.

Trauma andorthopaedics

Musculoskeletal system including bones, jointsand supporting muscles.

Urology Kidneys, urinary, bladder and malereproductive organs.


What does the healthcare jargonmean?What’s an outpatient appointment?An outpatient appointment is when you visit the hospital to see aspecialist who will examine you so that he or she can diagnose whatthe problem is and think about what the best treatment will be.

What’s inpatient treatment?Inpatient treatment is when you go into hospital to have yourtreatment and stay overnight.

What is secondary or tertiary care?When patients are referred by their GP for further treatment, this isknown as secondary care. It usually means being treated by aspecialist in a hospital or a clinic. In some cases, patients may need tosee a clinician with highly specialised knowledge of their condition. This is known as tertiary care.

What are NHS Foundation Trusts?NHS Foundation Trusts are a new type of NHS hospital that are run bylocal managers, staff and members of the public. These trusts havebeen given more freedom than other NHS trusts. However, theyremain within the NHS.


What are NHS Treatment Centres?Some NHS Treatment Centres are run by the NHS and some are run bythe Independent Sector. They both provide treatment to NHS patientswith NHS standards of care. You do not have to pay for treatment ateither type of treatment centre – the cost will be covered by the NHS.

What’s a GP with a Special Interest?Sometimes, rather than going to a hospital or clinic, you may be ableto choose to be treated by a GP with a Special Interest. As well astheir GP qualifications, they have thorough training and experience ina specialist area.

What’s a Clinical Assessment Service?Sometimes, instead of referring you direct to a hospital for anoutpatient appointment, your GP might refer you to a ClinicalAssessment Service. They will assess your condition and will discussthe next stage of your treatment. This assessment may take place inperson or over the phone. Your GP will let you know what you needto do if he or she is referring you to a Clinical Assessment Service.


Where can I find more informationand support?Your GP should be able to give you the answers to some of thequestions you have about your condition.

Or, you can contact NHS Direct. Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, go toNHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV, or call 0845 4647 and askto speak to a health information adviser.

For other healthcare information

www.nhs.uk for an electronic copy of this booklet, to compareindividual hospitals, and other NHS information.

www.healthspace.nhs.uk for a secure place on the internetwhere you can store all your personal health information.

www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk for information on theelectronic booking system that GPs may use to refer you for anoutpatient appointment.

www.healthcarecommission.org.uk for quality andperformance information on hospitals from the independentregulator of healthcare.

www.patientopinion.org.uk, an independent website whereyou can find out what other patients are saying about localhealth services.


How do your hospitals score?The information given in thefollowing tables shows howsome hospitals are doing againstselected measures ofperformance as well as ratingsfrom patient surveys. Theinformation for independentsector hospitals and for NHSTrusts is collected in differentways.

What do the statistics sayabout Independent Sectorhospitals?

These performance indicatorswere collected over six months,from October 2005 to March2006.

Inpatient waiting times

This measures the length of timea patient waits to receivetreatment if they need to beadmitted to hospital. The targetis six months from the time aconsultant decided hospitaltreatment was necessary to thetime of receiving treatment.

Outpatient waiting times

This measures the length of timea patient waits for an

appointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.

Cancelled operations

This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitorsthe number of MRSA bloodinfections recorded. NHS patientstreated at a hospital or treatmentcentre managed by theindependent sector, are testedfor MRSA prior to commencingtreatment. This significantly helpsreduce the risk of passing MRSAto other patients being treated atthe hospital.

What do patients say aboutIndependent Sectorhospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitalsand treatment centres eachconduct Patient SatisfactionSurveys.

The information given in thefollowing tables shows howsome hospitals are doing againstselected measures ofperformance as well as ratingsfrom patient surveys. Theinformation for independentsector hospitals and for NHSTrusts is collected in differentways.

What do the statistics sayabout Independent Sectorhospitals?

These performance indicatorswere collected over six months,from October 2005 to March2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for an

appointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitorsthe number of MRSA bloodinfections recorded. NHS patientstreated at a hospital or treatmentcentre managed by theindependent sector, are testedfor MRSA prior to commencingtreatment. This significantly helpsreduce the risk of passing MRSAto other patients being treated atthe hospital.

What do patients say aboutIndependent Sectorhospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitalsand treatment centres eachconduct Patient SatisfactionSurveys.

Hospital performance information 32

The following indicators arebased on the responses to thesesurveys.

Clinical relationships

Patients treated at the hospitalare asked to comment on theway they felt they were treatedby the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment onwhether they found the hospitalwards and toilets to be clean.Patients are also asked to expressan overall view on the cleanlinessof the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be

Patients are asked to commenton whether they felt welcomedto the hospital, whether theenvironment was pleasant,friendly and warm and whetherthe care they received helpedthem to feel comfortable.

Overall patientsatisfaction

This indicates patients’ overallimpressions about the treatmentand care they received at thehospital.

The following indicators arebased on the responses to thesesurveys.

Clinical relationships

Patients treated at the hospitalare asked to comment on theway they felt they were treatedby the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment onwhether they found the hospitalwards and toilets to be clean.Patients are also asked to expressan overall view on the cleanlinessof the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be

Patients are asked to commenton whether they felt welcomedto the hospital, whether theenvironment was pleasant,friendly and warm and whetherthe care they received helpedthem to feel comfortable.

Overall patientsatisfaction

This indicates patients’ overallimpressions about the treatmentand care they received at thehospital.


What do the statistics sayabout NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the yearending 31st March 2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for anappointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away) andfor which a new date was notoffered within 28 days of theoriginal date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number ofMRSA blood infections recordedand whether the hospitalreduced the rates compared withthe previous year in line with theplanned number of reductions.

What do patients say aboutNHS hospitals?

A national survey of patientsreceiving treatment at NHS Trustswas conducted in 2005. Thecolumns include results fromquestions that asked about:

Building closerrelationships

Patients were asked whether theycould understand the answerswhich doctors and nurses gavethem to their questions andwhether they felt that a doctor ornurse talked in front of them as ifthey weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable,friendly place to be

This survey asked whetherpatients felt bothered by noise atnight, their opinion on how cleanthe room or ward was, how they

What do the statistics sayabout NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the yearending 31st March 2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for anappointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away) andfor which a new date was notoffered within 28 days of theoriginal date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number ofMRSA blood infections recordedand whether the hospitalreduced the rates compared withthe previous year in line with theplanned number of reductions.

What do patients say aboutNHS hospitals?

A national survey of patientsreceiving treatment at NHS Trustswas conducted in 2005. Thecolumns include results fromquestions that asked about:

Building closerrelationships

Patients were asked whether theycould understand the answerswhich doctors and nurses gavethem to their questions andwhether they felt that a doctor ornurse talked in front of them as ifthey weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable,friendly place to be

This survey asked whetherpatients felt bothered by noise atnight, their opinion on how cleanthe room or ward was, how they


rated the food, whether theywere given enough privacy whenbeing examined, whether theyfelt enough was done to controltheir pain and whether they weretreated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality,co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether theyfelt they were given conflictinginformation from staff, how longit took to be discharged andwhether they were given adviceabout any possible problems towatch out for when they wenthome.

Better information,more choice

This survey asked patientswhether they felt they wereinvolved as much as they wantedto be in decisions about theircare and treatment, if staffexplained about the medicinesthey were to take at home in away they understood and if theywere told about the possible sideeffects of that medication.

rated the food, whether theywere given enough privacy whenbeing examined, whether theyfelt enough was done to controltheir pain and whether they weretreated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality,co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether theyfelt they were given conflictinginformation from staff, how longit took to be discharged andwhether they were given adviceabout any possible problems towatch out for when they wenthome.

Better information,more choice

This survey asked patientswhether they felt they wereinvolved as much as they wantedto be in decisions about theircare and treatment, if staffexplained about the medicinesthey were to take at home in away they understood and if theywere told about the possible sideeffects of that medication.


Hospital score tableThese tables show how your hospitals score against a number of measures, some of which arepatients' views. For more information on what the measures mean, see 'How do your hospitalsscore?'.

The indicators for independent and NHS hospitals are in separate tables because the informationcomes from different sources, and the definitions and time-periods covered are slightly different.For example, a '3' score for an independent hospital is not directly comparable with a '3' scorefor an NHS hospital, although both will be good quality.

Performanceinformation Patients' views

BUPA Hospital Washingtonpage 7

Cobalt NHS Treatment Centrepage 9

The Newcastle Nuffield Hospitalpage 20

Performance information Patients' views

Achieved target >90 out of 100

Underachieved 80-90 out of 100

Failed <80 out of 100

Data not available Data not available

Performanceinformation Patients' views

City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trustpage 8

County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trustpage 10

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trustpage 13

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trustpage 14

South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trustpage 19

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustpage 21

For full details of how the scores were calculated please go to

www.nhs.uk/documents/choice/indicators.pdf

For confidential support with choosing your hospital,contact:

Patient Choice AdvisorSouth Tyneside Primary Care TrustClarendonWindmill WayHebburnNE31 1AT

Tel: 0800 783 2556Email: [email protected]: www.stpct.nhs.uk

Other formatsYou can get this booklet in other formats (for example, in otherlanguages, on audio tape, in Braille, in British Sign Language, ineasy-to-read print and in large print). Please contact your GP practiceteam for a printed copy. For an electronic copy, please go towww.nhs.uk

The general information in this booklet has gained Plain EnglishCampaign's Crystal Mark for clarity, meaning that it is as easy to readas possible.

Please note that the information was correct at the time of printing.

276033/121© Crown copyright 2006 1p Dec 06 (BEL)

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