Sussex hospital trust rated best by patients

The trust is responsible for one hospital - the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead

A Sussex hospital trust has been given a higher mark from its patients than any other trust in the country.

The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (QVHT) has been given an overall satisfaction rating of 84%, more than all other trusts in England.

Patients over the age of 16 who spent at least one night in hospitals and were discharged in November were asked to complete a 49-question Care Quality Commission survey about their treatment and stay.

Jane Dickson, the trust’s interim chief nurse, said: “These results are testament to the hard work, dedication and expertise of colleagues throughout our organisation."

'Patients our priority'

In five of the 49 questions, the QVHT was ranked best in class.

These were in relation to patients: being told who to contact if they were worried about their condition or treatment after they left hospital, being able to sleep at night, waiting to get a bed on a ward on arrival, and being given the opportunity to give views on their care and being able to get food outside of a set meal time.

The QVHT also came top in the country for the experience of leaving hospital.

Patients said they felt they left hospital with the right information about how to care for themselves in the days ahead and felt involved in decisions around their departure.