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GWAS nominated for award
Towards the end of last year, GWAS became the first ambulance service in the country to subscribe to the Patient Opinion website (www.patientopinion.org.uk), which encourages NHS patients to comment on the treatment and care they received and to share their experiences.
The aim of the not-for-profit service is help NHS trusts who subscribe to the service to use the feedback to improve their services.
Now GWAS’s trailblazing approach has been recognised with a nomination in the Public Communication Award category of the inaugural Emergency Service Awards. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on April 7 at Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium. The event is hosted by Nick Owen of BBC News, who will present the awards.
Patrick Mulcahy, GWAS Head of Clinical Quality, monitors feedback on the trust via the Patient Opinion website and responds to every patient.
“Hearing directly from patients about their experiences of our service – good and bad – is one of the most effective ways of improving the care we provide to all our patients. That is why the Patient Opinion site is such a valuable tool for us,” said Mr Mulcahy, who will be attending the ceremony accompanied by Dr James Munro, Director of Research at Patient Opinion.
“Responding promptly to every comment placed on the site is important as that provides an opportunity to encourage patients to contact us directly if they would like more information about the service they received from us – as well as being a simple courtesy,” added Patrick.
“I’m delighted our desire to expand the ways we engage with our patients has been recognised by being nominated for this award. Attending the ceremony will be an opportunity to find out what other emergency services across the country are doing to improve – but obviously I hope we win!”
Information promoting the Patient Opinion link includes stickers on board GWAS vehicles, posters for GP surgeries and hospital A&E units, and cards to hand out to patients and user groups such as LINks.
