Patients have their say in NHS survey

During March and April, around 850 patients, selected at random from across the PCT's area, will receive a questionnaire asking about their experience of local NHS services.

It will ask patients a range of questions, such as whether they had to wait for an appointment, if they felt they were listened to and understood by health professionals, and if they felt they received the right amount of information about their problem. The survey is part of a national programme designed to evaluate patients' experiences and bring about improvements in services.

Patients are asked to complete the questionnaire and return it quickly in the free post envelope provided. A free helpline, 0800 3285317, is available for patients' queries or for patients who prefer to do a telephone survey.

Hastings and St Leonards Primary Care Trust (see notes) has commissioned PatientDynamics, an NHS approved independent healthcare research company to conduct the survey. All responses remain anonymous and strictly confidential and individual responses cannot be matched with the patient.