Diabetes Survey To Help Improve Services
28/07/2006
A survey of 850 randomly selected people with diabetes will take place across Gloucestershire at the beginning of August, presenting patients with a great opportunity to help improve the services that they receive in the future.
Every Primary Care Trust in England is carrying out the survey as part of a national programme led by the Healthcare Commission.
The survey aims to find out more about what service users think of the care and support they receive from the local NHS and those receiving the survey will be asked about their experiences including diagnosis, check ups, tests, management of diabetes, stays in hospital and access to GP services.
The results will be used to help the NHS in Gloucestershire to highlight areas where they are performing well and where there is room for improvement.
The survey is being overseen by West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust on behalf of the three Primary Care Trusts in Gloucestershire.
Director of Public Health at West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust and Chair of the county-wide Diabetes Group, Dr Hugh Annett said:
“We have seen some really positive developments for patients in the county over the last few years. For example, diabetes specialist nurses now carry out clinics in local settings, such as GP surgeries, helping people to manage their own condition and reducing the need for treatment at hospital.”
“The introduction of Patient Held Records across Gloucestershire in 2005 and the Expert Patient Programme has also helped patients to improve the management of their diabetes.”
“We want to continue to improve the way we provide services and carer and patient involvement in both the planning of services and the management of the disease is essential. This survey will provide doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers with a wealth of important information to help identify and meet the needs of patients.”
“I would urge all those who receive the questionnaire to take the time to fill it out and tell us what they think. The views of our service users are vital in helping us find out how we are doing and how we can improve.”
