The National Survey of NHS Patients

Introduction

The White Paper The new NHS committed the Government to carry out an annual national survey that would allow systematic comparisons of the experience of patients and their carers over time and between different parts of the country.

The survey is a vital part of the quality agenda set out in The new NHS and will be used to help monitor the delivery of quality standards locally, in line with the framework set out in A First Class Service. The survey will enable local managers and health professionals to take direct account of users' views in improving services. The survey also provides data to inform the patient and user dimension of the Performance Assessment Framework.

Survey Programme

The survey programme will consist of two parts:

• a core survey to collect information about patients' experience of primary care services, which started with general practice; and
• a rolling programme to look in depth at patients' experience in selected areas.

Further Information

Further information can be found at the Department of Health website.

For more information about SSD or the surveys we carry out contact:
SSD Project Support Branch Tel: +44 (0)20 7533 5500 or e-mail: ssdpsb@ons.gov.uk

This page last revised: Monday, 29 October 2001