29th November 2011 - Hospital 'recommended' by patients  

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has been named the most recommended hospital in the Yorkshire region in the 2011 Dr Foster Hospital Guide.

The accolade, which is a new category in the annual publication, asks patients what they think about individual hospitals.  It lists Airedale General Hospital as being recommended by 82% of patients.  The hospital has also been recognised for its low mortality rates.

To find out what people think of their patient experience, the Hospital Guide analysed results from national patient surveys as well as the internet, where patients can record their views of hospital treatment on websites such as NHS Choices.  The report looked in particular at how important it is for hospitals to understand patient needs and the issues that cause the most dissatisfaction, such as a lack of involvement in decisions and not being treated with respect.

Bridget Fletcher, Chief Executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says: “We are pleased to feature as one of the most recommended hospitals by patients in the Dr Foster 2011 Hospital Guide.  It is not only a fantastic achievement for our staff but also recognition for the hard work they do every day to make sure the care patients receive is of the highest quality and provided with empathy and compassion.”

The Hospital Guide 2011 can be found at www.drfosterhealth.co.uk and includes a link to find out how hospitals performed.