01.10.12
Patients guarded about criticising the NHS online
A survey has found that individuals across Britain are more likely to review films, TV and holidays online than their NHS care.
Censuswide asked 2,049 adults if they would detail their criticisms at the Patient Opinion website. Most stated that they would be more likely to review the latest gadgets or theatre productions than discuss their experiences whilst in hospital.
As a result of the survey, many have called for a franker analysis of the NHS online.
Dr Paul Hodgkin, the website’s chief executive, said: “They're telling us that, despite living in a culture where increasingly people comment on things like the latest book they've read, and use sites like Trip Advisor to rate their holiday, that feedback culture hasn't really reached the NHS yet.”
When asked why they would not comment on the NHS on the website, 30% of the participants said nothing would change as a result of their opinions. 17% felt the NHS did not care about their concerns and 11% did not want to cause trouble for staff.
1 million people use the NHS every day yet only around 250 register their opinions online, when approximately 50% of this number have concerns about elements of their service.
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