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Hospital Patients Feel Forgotten During Treatment Wait
27 Jul
Summary
- Most patients unaware of a dedicated support service.
- Patients reported feeling anxious and unsupported.
- Wait times for procedures ranged from 16 weeks to over two years.
An independent health watchdog has identified significant issues regarding patient support at Rotherham Hospital while individuals await necessary treatments. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust implemented a "waiting well" service to assist patients on lists for planned procedures.
However, a recent patient survey conducted by Healthwatch Rotherham revealed that a staggering 96% of respondents were completely unaware of this service's existence. This lack of awareness left many patients feeling anxious, forgotten, and unsupported during their waiting periods.
Further investigation uncovered a broader problem of unclear communication and expectation-setting between medical staff and patients. Many individuals reported not being provided with estimated referral timeframes, leading to prolonged uncertainties.
The wait times for medical procedures varied dramatically, with some patients experiencing delays ranging from 16 weeks up to more than two years. The trust's managing director acknowledged the feedback, emphasizing its value for identifying areas needing improvement. The watchdog manager stressed that such support services must be integrated into the patient journey rather than being left to chance discovery.
