The Patients Association - Patient experience Winter survey 2023 (16 March 2023)

Summary

This report summarises the results of the Patients Association's Winter survey 2023, which received 1,933 online responses. The survey aimed to help develop understanding about the experiences of patients during a period of high pressure for the NHS. In addition to the usual winter pressures, the NHS experienced a backlog of care exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside years of underinvestment in the NHS, the absence of a long-term workforce plan and long-standing issues in the social care system.

Content

Key findings

• Most people had positive experiences when dealing with healthcare staff but overall coordination of care and information about it was lacking
• Many people said their health and needs affected their mental health and made them feel lonely
• Many people weren’t involved in decisions about care and treatment and were sceptical about patients becoming partners in future
• Many people struggled to contact the service they needed and faced long waits for an appointment
• Some people struggled to get any help or support at all for their health and care needs
• Remote consultations work for some people, but more said they preferred face-to-face appointments