The launch of the findings of the 2021 National Inpatient Experience Survey

The results of the 2021 National Inpatient Experience Survey were launched by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD on Monday, 9 May 2022 at the Richmond Education and Events Centre.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD was joined by Angela Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of HIQA and Chair of the National Care Experience Programme Steering Group; Chief Executive of the HSE, Paul Reid; patient representative Kay Caball; and Director of the National Care Experience Programme, Rachel Flynn. 

The fourth National Inpatient Experience Survey took place in September 2021 across 40 public acute hospitals. This survey is the largest of its kind in Ireland; since 2017, over 50,000 patients have participated and shared their experiences of hospital care. 

This national survey shows that patients experienced good care in hospital during the pandemic, but long waiting times in the ED remain a problem.

Responding to the survey findings, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD said: “The National Inpatient Experience Survey is an important piece of work that ensures the patient voice is central to the delivery of a more person-centred health service. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey this year. The sustained high response rate shows that patients want to have their voices heard and share their collective stories.

“The 2021 survey results provide us with an understanding of patients’ experience of care during the pandemic for the first time. It is encouraging to see that patients continue to have positive experiences of being treated with dignity and respect and having confidence and trust in hospital staff. 

“The survey findings also highlight that there is still room for improvement, and it is absolutely essential the health service listens and responds when patients share their experience.” 

Click here to read the full report.