Northumbria Healthcare excels in patient led assessments 

 Patients at Northumbria Healthcare have rated their experience in hospital as the best in the country on a number of key areas according to the results of a new national study.

Northumbria scored above the national average in all eight assessed areas in the latest Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) survey.

The trust, which runs hospitals in Northumberland and North Tyneside scored the highest nationally in the combined food category for large acute trust, this category looks at choice, availability, and quality. The trust also came out top nationally in cleanliness for a large acute trust, this category looks at the condition of objects and facilities including patient equipment, furniture, and toilets.

It also ranked first large acute trust nationally for dementia and privacy, dignity and wellbeing.

There has been an increase in several areas in 2023 compared to 2022 with the biggest increase being 5.8% in relation to ward food.

These assessments were undertaken between September and December 2023 and the scores are published by NHS England.

They focus on how the hospital environment supports service provision and patient care, looking at core aspects such as cleanliness, food and maintenance, as well as the extent to which the environment supports privacy and dignity of dementia and disability compliance.

Chief executive, Birju Bartoli said: “Our staff work incredibly hard to ensure that patients get the care and service they deserve when they are with us, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing outstanding patient care. As well as the treatment they receive in hospital we know things like cleanliness, good food and the overall patient environment are all really important in offering the best possible experience for people while they are with us.

“It’s incredibly reassuring to see that despite the current pressures being faced, our staff have continued to focus on the needs of our patients and delivered excellent standards of care.”

Damon Kent, managing director of Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, the trust’s estates and facilities subsidiary added: “It’s brilliant to see such positive results and improvements in areas. These results are a testament to the hard work of our domestics, porters and catering teams. We’d like to say a huge well done to all of our teams who are dedicated to providing the best care for our patients.”

The trust also has an extensive patient experience programme, which is recognised as one of the most wide-ranging in the NHS. The process involved feedback being collected by Patient Perspective – an independent company approved by the CQC – to gain authentic and reflected insights, which are then analysed and acted on.

Media contact 

Emily Lavin, marketing and communications officer 

emily.lavin@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk or 07887985929