Patients are largely happy with their hospital stays, first results of a new survey released yesterday suggest.
Patients were asked about communication, involvement in care, care co-ordination, and whether physical and emotional needs were met.
Conducted between August 26 and September 19, the survey drew more than 1500 responses, representing only about a quarter of patients asked to take part.
The average rating was more than eight out of 10 for each of the four main areas. Patients also answered 20 detailed questions.
Released by the Health Quality and Safety Commission, the results coincide with Patient Safety Week.
Health quality evaluation director Richard Hamblin said the commission would work with health boards to increase the response rate.
Mr Hamblin warned against over-interpreting the results.
''This particularly applies to trying to rank DHBs from these data, which would be invalid.
''DHB scores are remarkably consistent, which can make over-simple comparisons misleading.''
The next survey starts later this month.
The Southern District Health Board issued a release yesterday saying the survey showed patients were happy with their stays at southern hospitals.
The health board scored more than eight points in each of the four main categories.
''Southern DHB is delighted with the results, which give a good balanced view of the feedback which will be used to build on and improve our patient experience,'' nursing and midwifery director Leanne Samuel said.
