News

More than 1,200 local residents have responded to the direct mail survey - assessing attitudes to local NHS services and family facilities. (see picture of Nigel going through a sample of your responses).
 
Overall the survey highlighted a fair degree of satisfaction with the local NHS services, but also revealed some areas for improvement with maternity services, cleanliness and nursery provision.  We will share the detailed results with local healthcare professionals and with the shadow health team.  Andrew Lansley is visting Luton on 17th March and will be discussing these results with the L&D CEO, amongst others.
 
A snapshot of the results are as follows:
 
·         89% rated local NHS services satisfactory or better
 
·         82% of mothers rated their maternity experience satisfactory or better
 
·         14% of hospital patients rated the standard of cleanliness poor, but 11% said excellent
 
·        50% said healthcare services had got better in the last few years, 21% worse
 
·         82% said opening surgeries longer at evenings or weekends would benefit them
 
·         79% said it was difficult or impossible to get an affordable childcare or nursery place in Luton
 
·         72 % support the Conservatives policy for shared parental leave; and
 
·         82% support the Conservative policy for more health visitors
 
Gurch Randhawa, Chair of NHS Luton, said:
“We are pleased that these results show local people are noticing the many improvements we are making to healthcare in Luton.  Over the last few years NHS Luton has worked to improve access and choice in primary care.  This has led to 25 out of 32 GP surgeries now offering appointments outside normal hours, the opening of three new GP surgeries and a GP-led walk-in centre, and provision of an NHS dentist within 10 minutes travel of every resident.
“However, we are not complacent and improving access remains a top priority for us.  We are increasing the number of NHS dental appointments available and for the first time people can check their GP practice’s performance via the scorecards on our website to help them make an informed choice between GPs.
If anyone experiences problems accessing a GP or dentist, help is available from our Patient Liaison Service.  Call PALS on 01582 709134, email  pals@luton-pct.nhs.uk or fill in the online form at www.luton.nhs.uk “