Publish date: 25 October 2021

UCLH has continued to achieve excellent results in the National Inpatient Survey, with patients rating their overall care as 8.7 out of 10 – the top score amongst our London peers. 

It also puts UCLH as the joint top in the Shelford Group, tied with Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

UCLH chief executive David Probert said: “This is a fantastic achievement, especially considering the challenging year we have all had. A huge thank you and well done to all our staff – we couldn’t have done this without you.”

A total of 521 people aged 16 or over who had spent at least one night in hospital during November 2020 completed the questionnaire, a 46 per cent response rate. Their answers were analysed by the Care Quality Commission and the results were published on the 19 October. 

Questions focused on their overall experience at UCLH, from waiting times to being able to sleep, from keeping in contact with family during the pandemic to the discharge process. 

The survey is significantly different to previous years’ surveys in terms of methodology, sampling month and questionnaire content. The 2020 results are therefore not comparable with previous years’ data and trend data is not available.

Overall patient experience of UCLH is great. We have maintained our good performance in a number of areas and seen particular improvements in giving written or printed information about what patients should or shouldn’t do after discharge, treating patients with dignity and respect, the trust and confidence patients felt in their doctor, and the information about the condition or treatment being given. 

The only area that was flagged as needing improvement was in relation to the hospital food. Where UCLH will continue work with our service partners to add to some of the improvements already made since the survey was carried out. 

Patients who have at least one overnight stay in November will be invited to complete the 2021 inpatient survey early next year.