The National Inpatient Experience Survey 2021 follows the patient's journey through hospital from admission to discharge. Eleven survey questions ask about patients’ experiences relating to discharge, including notice of discharge and provision of information. This report focuses on patients’ experiences of discharge or transfer from hospital.
Discharge - Published May 2022
As in previous years, discharge or transfer was the lowest-rated stage of care again in 2021, with an average patient rating of 6.9 out of 10. Responses showed that patients did not always receive the information they needed when being discharged from hospital.
68% of people (6,838) said that they were definitely given enough notice of their discharge.
31% of people (1,987) said that doctors or nurses did not give their family or someone close to them all the information they needed to help care for them.
75% of people (7,614) said that before they left hospital, healthcare staff spent enough time explaining about their health and care after they arrived home.
32% of people (2,553) said that a member of staff did not tell them about any danger signals they should watch for at home.
69% of people (5,744) said that the purpose of medications was explained to them in a way that they completely understood.
36% of people (2,644) said that they were not told about the side effects of medications.
68% of people (6,838) said that they were definitely given enough notice of their discharge.
31% of people (1,987) said that doctors or nurses did not give their family or someone close to them all the information they needed to help care for them.
75% of people (7,614) said that before they left hospital, healthcare staff spent enough time explaining about their health and care after they arrived home.
32% of people (2,553) said that a member of staff did not tell them about any danger signals they should watch for at home.
69% of people (5,744) said that the purpose of medications was explained to them in a way that they completely understood.
36% of people (2,644) said that they were not told about the side effects of medications.
Explore the results in greater detail in the interactive results section.
Stay up to date with the results of the National Care Experience Programme surveys.
Download 2021 report