Over eight in 10 patients had a good experience in hospital during 2021 when the health service was almost at breaking point and Covid was still raging.
The results of the National Inpatient Experience survey will come as a welcome relief to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, who has been battling his way through his brief.
It shows that 83% of 10,000 patients surveyed reported the experience in hospital as being either 'good' or 'very good'.
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Mr Donnelly launched the survey, which was conducted by the health service independent watchdog, HIQA, at the old Richmond Hospital in Smithfield, Dublin.
HIQA’s new chief executive, Angel Fitzgerald, introduced the latest report.
Ms Fitzgerald said: “COVID-19 has had a profound impact on patients, staff and the provision of healthcare across the world.
“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic and the disruptions it caused, most patients told us that they had positive experiences of care in hospital.”
Mr Donnelly added: “The National Inpatient Experience Survey is an important piece of work that ensures the patient voice is central to the delivery of a more person-centred health service.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey this year.
“The sustained high response rate shows that patients want to have their voices heard and share their collective stories.”
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