Forum set up for patient feedback

PATIENTS unhappy with any services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital now have an outlet to express their views.

A patient forum has been set up, designed to enable patients along with staff and other members of the public to have their say in the quality of services being provided at the hospital.

Stephen McMahon, chairman of the Irish Patients’ Association, said: “The purpose of the patient forum is to further develop the strong service culture throughout the hospital, to improve the quality of services by making them responsive to the needs and preferences of patients and to facilitate a collaborative approach between hospital staff and patient representatives in the planning, development and evaluation of services locally.

Tom Clifford, patient representative and co-chair of the forum, said: “We would also like to let the public know about follow up and support services in the mid-west region.”

The 12-member forum comprises six members of the public and six hospital staff.

Topics to be discussed by the forum include:

* Patient and carer feedback

* Quality of service, including measures of access to hospital services

* Patient satisfaction measurement and quality initiatives

* Planned services developments.