'I have nothing but the highest praise" - Patients give top marks to Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre
Date: 17/02/2010
The Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre in Plymouth, run by Care UK on behalf of the NHS, has received another excellent satisfaction survey from its patients and has again consistently matched or outperformed the top 20 per cent of all acute NHS trusts in the UK
Key findings of the patient survey results, which represent mean scores (maximum 100), include:
- A score of 96 for patients saying they would probably or definitely recommend the hospital
- A score of 94 for patients rating their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ (Top 20 NHS Trusts, 81)
- A score of 98 for patients saying they were always treated with dignity and respect (Top 20 NHS Trusts, 90)
- A score of 95 for patients always having confidence and trust in nurses (Top 20 NHS Trusts, 89)
- A score of 95 for patients always having confidence and trust in doctors (Top 20 NHS Trusts, 91)
- A score of 97 for patients thinking the Treatment Centre was clean (Top 20 NHS Trusts, 88)
Comments from patients included: “I felt as if I was treated as an individual, not as a ‘package’ – excellent care”; the staff were caring, informative and very approachable; I have recommended the hospital to friends; it was fantastic; I was better treated than I could have wished; the cleanliness is second to none; I have nothing but the highest praise for the excellent treatment I have received.”
One patient who has enjoyed a positive visit to the Centre is retired marine engineer James Willoughby, 66, from Torpoint.
Mr. Willoughby was a marine engineer employed in the Merchant Navy, until he retired in 2004. In 2000, already suffering from osteoarthritis, he sustained further injury to his knee during the course of his duties. Taking sick leave, he was given an arthroscopy which alleviated his problem at the time. Eventually, after further wear and tear, he required a replacement knee in 2009.
He said: “I was still able to go rowing on the river, attend a gym and walk short distances, but began to suffer increased pain if I tried to walk more than a couple of miles. At this stage, with my knee noticeably bowed, I paid a visit to my GP who immediately arranged for me to have an X-ray and see a consultant. As part of the Choose and Book scheme I was offered the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre. I’d heard good things about the Centre so I contacted Choose and Book and they arranged dates for my treatment – it’s good that we as patients are given this option.”
Mr. Willoughby was operated on at the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre and was home within four days. He commented: “Having worked in a close knit team I can get a feel as to whether people are functioning properly together or not, and my impression of the staff at the Centre is that they are dedicated, compassionate and efficient. They are a wonderful example of how people from different countries can come together and work in harmony together.”
He added: “The whole experience was excellent and everyone was welcoming, friendly and helpful, from the consultant surgeon to the person who cleaned the ward – everyone had a smile to give and nothing was too much trouble.”
Mr. Willoughby is well on the road to a full recovery and is looking forward to returning to rowing, the gym and long walks. He has become a Patient Ambassador for the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre which means he is happy to answer questions from prospective patients
Patricia Warwick, Care UK’s General Manager at the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre said: “Once again, patients such as Mr. Willoughby are telling us that they appreciate the quality and level of care they have received at the Centre. My thanks go to our patients for providing such valuable feedback, and to members of staff at the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre who have provided such excellent care and service. Patients can now access treatment here via Choose and Book, and they can get more information about this from their GPs.”
