PATIENTS’ experiences of four East Lancashire hospitals have been released after a volunteer inspection was conducted.

Healthwatch Lancashire volunteers listened to more than 200 people from Royal Blackburn Hospital, Burnley General Hospital, Accrington Victoria Community Hospital and Clitheroe Community Hospital.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The results showed that patients at Royal Blackburn Hospital were distressed about the waiting times before being seen to, lack of car parking spaces and smoking outside the entrance.

Other points of concern included the cleanliness of Burnley General Hospital, the X-ray waiting times at Accrington Victoria Community Hospital and the severe lack of parking at Clitheroe Community Hospital.

However, a spokesman from the reports said staff at the hospitals were ‘extremely friendly’ and many patients were happy with their overall experience.

Within the Royal Blackburn Hospital report, patients at the A&E department said: “Waiting times were too long, patients were left bleeding, patients were distraught, they were being ignored and crying.

“Cutbacks are affecting patients’ care, and we were very shocked at the treatment.”

Healthwatch Lancashire is delivering Patient Engagement Days in hospitals across Lancashire to hear people’s experiences and influence service improvement. Within the Clitheroe Community Hospital report, a spokesman from Healthwatch Lancashire said: “A patient said that the ultrasound service was very convenient, saving them an hour of travelling time.

“They described the service as ‘very nice and local’ and stated that they were ‘very happy’.”

Christine Pearson, chief nurse at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We thank Healthwatch Lancashire volunteers and staff for their work in reporting positive findings from patients and their families, as well as highlighting some areas for improvement.

“We take all feedback very seriously and constantly strive to ensure all our patients and relatives have a good experience when using the Trust’s services.

“We take on board all the comments received and are looking at any issues raised in further detail before making changes or improvements are reporting these to the public.”

 

Royal Blackburn Hospital

Good - A patient said: “Staff are extremely friendly, known on a first name basis.”

Bad - A patient said: “More people need to use the hand washing facilities to prevent infection and nobody used hand gel.”

 

Burnley General Hospital

Good - A Healthwatch spokesman said: “A service user commented the hospital is great and provides a good service.”

Bad - A Healthwatch spokesman said: “One service user described the toilets as ‘disgusting’.”

 

Accrington Victoria Hospital 

Good - A Healthwatch spokesman said: “A number of people said that they were happy with their overall experience, describing it as ‘excellent’, ‘fantastic’ or ‘really happy with everything’.”

 

Bad - A Healthwatch spokesman said: “Another concern was raised relating to appointments with a patient stating ‘My appointment was changed four times’.”

 

Clitheroe Community Hospital

Good - A Healthwatch spokesman said: “A number of positive comments were provided relating to the service with it being described as ‘effective and efficient’ and ‘fantastic’.

Bad- A Healthwatch spokesman said: “A concern was raised about parking with a service user stating, ‘Car parking is a real problem, it makes the experience difficult’.”