Survey information and methodology

The programme currently comprises three national surveys:  

• Adult hospital inpatient experience survey, which provides information about the experience of care received by a selection of adults aged 15 years and over who stayed at least 1 night in a public hospital during the survey period. 
• Adult hospital outpatient experience survey, which provides information about the experience of care received by a selection of adults aged 15 years and over who attended a hospital-based outpatient clinic appointment during the survey period. 
• Adult primary care patient experience survey, which provides information about the experience of care received by a selection of adults aged 15 years and over who were enrolled with and had a consultation or other contact with their general practice during the survey period. This is now the largest health survey in Aotearoa New Zealand, with around 30,000 responses expected each quarter. 

The surveys are run every 3 months. The questionnaires are completed online, in either English or te reo Māori. Invitations are sent by email and/or text. Participation is voluntary. Survey responses are anonymous unless patients choose to provide their contact details. 

In 2020, a one-off COVID-19 patient experience survey was carried out to understand patients’ experiences of accessing health care during alert level 3.