Have your say about health care services / Kei te pīrangi mātau ki te rongo korero i a koe!

This week is patient experience survey week and people are being encouraged to have their say about the health care they receive.

Once every three months people who have recently been to a family doctor are asked to take part in a survey about how their care is managed between their different care providers. Their feedback is anonymous and health services use it to see what is and isn’t working for people and what they can do to improve care.

'People receive an email or text the week after their visit inviting them to take part in the survey,' says GP Dr Rawiri Jansen, who was involved in the development of the survey.

'It’s really easy – and important – to have your say. The survey is voluntary, and anonymous. You can complete it at home, on a computer, tablet or smart phone in about 15 minutes.'

Dr Jansen says the survey gives people the opportunity to comment on things like whether they were always able to get health care when they needed it, and if their GP or nurse was up-to-date with the care they received from specialists.

'For example, when you visit your doctor or nurse, are you confident they are aware of your medical history? Were you involved in decisions about your care and treatment as much as you wanted?

'This is important information. If health services don’t know where the problems are, they can’t start to work on them.

'If you go to the doctor this week, please make sure your practice has your correct email address, so they can contact you about the survey. If you receive an email the following week asking you to take part, please do! It will only take a short time, and your feedback will benefit not only you, but others in your community.'

The patient experience survey is coordinated by the Ministry of Health and the Health Quality & Safety Commission.