A&E ratings plummet in new Stafford Hospital patient survey

The Stafford Hospital department was given an overall score of 31 in a patient survey, with the maximum attainable being 100. Patients were asked whether they would recommend the unit to friends and family.

Back in July, the ward was awarded a score of 82 – making it the highest scoring A&E in the West Midlands and third best in the country.

But in the latest survey, completed in September, 12 of the 105 people who took part said they were 'extremely unlikely' to recommend it to family and friends.

However, 58 said they were 'extremely likely' to recommend it.

All results of the surveys were given over the phone once the patient had returned home.

Mike Heenan, leader of Stafford Borough Council, said the figures were 'inconsistent' and that they did not correspond with what people had said to him about Stafford Hospital's A&E department.

"I'm disappointed to say the least and the figures are so inconsistent," said Councillor Heenan.

"I need to have a look at the figures properly myself before I can comment, but it most certainly does not seem to correlate with what people have been telling me about Stafford Hospital."

His feelings were echoed by hospital campaigner Cheryl Porter, of Support Stafford Hospital, who said when her husband Julian visited the ward three weeks ago the staff were 'excellent'.

"When we went three weeks ago we recieved marvellous care," said Mrs Porter.

"As all those who responded did so by phone, perhaps the hospital just don't have the time to hand out surveys – and I think looking after patients is more important, quite frankly," she added.

"When we went it never even crossed my mind to fill out a survey – people are just too busy and they have other things going on."

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust scored the highest in the Black Country with a total result of 65 points in the patient survey.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust meanwhile scored 51, while The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust was given 59 and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust scored 40.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire, which is set to take over the running of services at Stafford Hospital, scored a total of 44 in the patient survey.

Julie Hendry, Director of Quality & Patient Experience at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our performance since April has seen us in the top 10 Trusts in the country for A&E. This month's results are disappointing but reflect a surprisingly low number of respondents.

"We haven't seen any complaints about A&E during this time

"The Trust has just launched a new external collector of this information which will see much larger numbers of patients being able to give their feedback. We will of course be monitoring this closely going forward."