Many people don’t quite know how to provide feedback on the care they have received from the NHS, but the Isle of Wight NHS Trust say it’s incredibly important to have your say so you can help shape and improve your local services.
Whether you’re seen in hospital, by a GP, by your dentist or by a paramedic, you can have your say on your care.
The NHS Friends and Family Test gives you the chance to provide quick, anonymous feedback on your care and treatment experience. All you have to do is ask to complete the Friends and Family Test in NHS hospitals, GP practices and dental practices, and you can say what went well and what you think can be improved. This feedback will go straight to the people who have provided the service so they can take your views into account.
Alan Sheward, Director of Nursing said:
“The Friends and Family Test is a vital feedback mechanism that patients can use to inform us of their experiences of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust. It gives all patients the opportunity to give their views on the care and treatment they have received. It shows us where things are going well and where things can be improved; having this feedback means that changes can be made when necessary”
Isle of Wight NHS Trust patients have shared their views 34,000 times since it began in 2013 and this has made a positive difference across the Trust services. The service or practice that you feedback on will look at what you have said and use the information to improve the way they do things. Many of the changes will be small ones but could make a big difference to patients’ experience.
The results for this are published nationally on NHS England’s website https://www.england.nhs.uk/ and can also be found on our website at https://www.iow.nhs.uk/getting-involved/help-us-improve/friends-and-family-test/friends-and-family-test.htm
Alternatively patients can leave their feedback by completing a Friends and Family Test postcard while at St Mary’s Hospital, through the Patient Information Point at Main Reception, or by asking to use a tablet device in any compatible area on-site.
The Friends and Family Test does not replace existing feedback methods and patients are still able to pass on their complaints and compliments through the normal channels.
