The system for communicating with patients on healthcare waiting lists in Northern Ireland is in disarray, the Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO_Comms) finds.
The system for communicating with patients on healthcare waiting lists in Northern Ireland is in disarray, the Public Services Ombudsman has found.
The investigation found that failures by trusts across Northern Ireland to follow guidance meant that patients were given little or no information once a referral had been made.whether their case is classed as routine, urgent or red flag, included evidence from the Department of Health and trusts, as well as survey responses from GPs and members of the public.Patients 'felt forgotten'
The report was critical of the department for not reviewing this protocol since 2009, and that it took no action to reinforce the guidelines even though it was aware they was not being followed in some areas.Image caption,The majority of those said their needed to be major improvements in how waiting list information is communicated to patients.
a standard letter of acknowledgement to all patients which states whether their referral is routine or urgent, and the expected waiting timeupdates to anyone waiting six months or more In a statement, the department said the ombudsman's investigation "underlines the importance of health service communication with patients on waiting lists".
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