We are committed to our patients and our local community playing an active and valued role in shaping their own care and treatment and in developing our services, and supporting our vision that the patient is at the heart of HUC providing out-of-hospital care.
We know that one of the keys to achieving this is really listening to our patients and responding to what you tell us.
Below you can see some of the feedback we’ve been hearing from those who know our services best – our patients – and what action we’ve taken to respond to your feedback.
Response to patient feedback
Waiting times are reviewed constantly by HUC and commissioners. Patients are seen in order of clinical need and this can increase waiting times for others. HUC has increased staffing levels at weekends to try and reduce delays.
Dental patients who called the service on a Friday or Saturday evening for an emergency dental appointment the next day were required to call back again the following morning and go through further assessment. Patients who require dental treatment are now put onto a separate list so that they receive a call from a dental nurse who arranges an appointment without requiring the patient to phone NHS 111 again.
Patients who have blood tests requested by their own GP during the day may need to be contacted Out of Hours when their results are known for urgent medical attention. When HUC received cases from pathology labs regarding blood/lab tests, GP’s were calling patients in the middle of the night to advise them accordingly. It has been found that most of these cases were not urgent and the patient did not need to be called in the early hours of the morning. GP’s are now asked to review individual cases carefully and pass to patients own GP for a follow up call the next day if not urgent.
Patient consent regarding disclosure should be asked following the 111 call and by the GP if a patient is transferred to Out of Hours. A system has now been put in place to ensure GP’s must ask the patient about disclosure so that patient wishes, with respect to their confidentiality, are respected.
Give us your opinion
If you would like to let us know about your experience using our services, you can complete our online feedback form.
Feedback form
Alternatively, you can write to us at:
David Archer, Chief Executive
HUC HQ
The Old Ambulance Station
Ascots Lane
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 4HL
Or, you can call us on 0845 606606 during office hours and speak to our Quality and Patient Experience Manager.
Or, you can email us at huc.feedback@nhs.net