Patients participating in the latest National NHS Adult Inpatient Survey gave the Ascot hospital the country’s highest average score in for overall patient experience. The annual NHS survey, published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as part of a national programme to improve patient experience while in hospital, looked at the experience of 63,573 patients across 131 NHS Trusts who stayed at least one night in hospital during November 2023.
Between January and April this year, 1,250 patients at each Trust were invited to take part.
They were asked 55 questions about hospital admission and discharge, the hospital ward and environment, care and treatment, communication with staff, involvement in decisions, and being treated with respect and dignity.
The results were published in the full national benchmarking report earlier this autumn, with the data shown at both NHS Trust and individual hospital site level. The average score of Heatherwood patients asked to rate their overall experience was 9.7 out of 10, the best of any individual hospital in the survey.
Angela Lawes, managing director, Heatherwood Elective Centre, said: “We are very proud to receive such positive results, and for Heatherwood to be ranked number one out of all the inpatient NHS hospital sites covered by the survey data. Heatherwood is a dedicated planned care hub which doesn’t face the same pressures as acute hospitals with busy A&E departments. However, it’s a huge achievement, particularly as a relatively new hospital, to be first compared with all other NHS elective inpatient hospitals across the country.
“The survey provided a wealth of information – including some areas for improvement which we’ll be working to address, such as providing more detailed follow-up information for patients when they leave hospital. The many positive responses are testament to the commitment of the Heatherwood team, and reflect the ethos of all of our dedicated Frimley Health staff, who work extremely hard to provide excellent care to our patients.”
Sean Woodhead, associate architect at BDP, said: “Huge congratulations to the team at Heatherwood Hospital for being awarded this important accolade. This model of healthcare – whereby specialist services are brought together rather than combining them on one site together with emergency care – is undoubtedly the future. It helps alleviate pressure and creates efficiencies, ultimately leading to better care for patients.”
Heatherwood Hospital is an elective facility focused on orthopaedic and high-volume, low- acuity procedures. In addition to its six ultraclean theatres, it features a 48-bed inpatient unit, plus outpatient and diagnostic facilities for orthopaedics, cardiology, radiology, lithotripsy, physiotherapy, and orthodontics.
Sean Woodhead added: “It’s an absolute privilege to have been involved even in a small way in shaping the future of Heatherwood Hospital. Our aim architecturally was to deliver a fantastic experience for both staff and patients, by providing access to nature, daylight, and fresh air, and an optimised approach to layout with built-in flexibility, meaning patients have better health outcomes and reduced recovery periods, while the wellbeing of all those using the building is supported.”
The new Heatherwood Hospital was rebuilt alongside a previous hospital site and re-opened in 2022. Since then, it has been formally opened by HRH the Duchess of Edinburgh and visited by two government health ministers, who both praised the model of care at Heatherwood and ‘the amazing teams who deliver it for patients’. In recognition of its high standards, Heatherwood has been accredited as a national surgical hub and a community diagnostic hub.