Insights from patients in the Urgent Care Centre and Accident & Emergency Department of West Middlesex University Hospital

Aim

The aim of our survey was to find out the possibility of reducing non-emergency attendance by local patients at the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) and A&E department of West Middlesex University Hospital (WMUH). 

Method

To obtain data, we decided to contact and request information from a cross section of local patients reporting to WMUH’s UCC and A&E units. Besides information collated from patients, we also planned to gather statistical data from WMUH’s A&E and UCC. To gather our data, we prepared a questionnaire. We received feedback from 250 patients waiting for treatment in the UCC and A&E waiting areas inside WMUH. Our feedback was obtained predominantly directly from patients themselves and in a few instances indirectly through their family/carer or through the parent/parents when a patient was a minor.

Objective

The objective of our survey was to ascertain the following:

• Patients’ understanding of the UCC and A&E;
• Patients’ understanding of the difference between the UCC and A&E;
• Patients’ awareness of other local health services available to them in the LBH;
• Patients’ understanding of the NHS’ present crisis situation and how they might help the NHS.