New survey reveals improvements in patient surroundings still have a way to go

“Our staff have always done a sterling job, but their dedication and commitment has, until now, not been matched by the quality of the physical environment in which they have to work”: as the Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) reveals only one in six hospitals in England rates its patient environment as 'excellent', according to its 2011 survey, comments like this demonstrate the desire for improvement.

The results of this year’s survey reveal that, while the number of providers that recorded the highest score in all three categories was up by 11.8% on last year, just 15.4% thought they were providing the best possible service. The remaining 84.6% believe there is room for improvement.

“While there is room for optimism in these results, we know that many hospitals are increasingly conscious that there are design and material options now available that could easily improve patient surroundings,” says SAS International’s Malcolm Stamper “It’s increasingly being recognised that those in the healthcare sector working in outdated buildings which are no longer fit for purpose find this frustrating.  As ever, practicality and affordability are two major considerations in enabling change.”


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