More than 430,000 patients answered a LUP questionnaire during 2023, of whom 123,650 were from the Capital Region of Denmark. The results of the survey are a valuable source of knowledge about patient experience at hospitals in the region.
Overall satisfaction has developed positively for all our somatic patient groups. Sadly, the same positive developments are not apparent for women in childbirth and for the mental health services.
"The 2023 LUP results provide valuable insight into where we need to take action to secure continued positive developments. The advances in patient satisfaction this year are also huge pat on the back for employees and managers. However, we can see that some departments still have work ahead, particularly in mental health services,” said the Chairman of the Regional Council, Lars Gaardhøj (Social Democrats).
Many hospitals are close to their targets
In 2022-2025, the Regional Council agreed on an ambition to increase patient satisfaction in the Region.
The target consists of two sub-goals; 85% of patients must be satisfied to a high degree or a very high degree, and 50% of the patients must be satisfied to a very high degree.
Hospitals such as Bornholm Hospital and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen have reached the target for their patient groups, while others still are working to achieve the objective of greater patient satisfaction for all patient groups.
There is increasing satisfaction for somatic patients across hospitals, but targets for women in childbirth have yet to be reached and there is a long way to go to reach targets for the mental health services.
"We’re pleased to see that our systematic work on improving patient satisfaction is bearing fruit. It’s encouraging to see that we’re close to reaching our targets for somatic patients, and we’re working actively to improve satisfaction in other areas, including mental health services,” said medical director Erik Jylling.
Focus on patient involvement
Patients’ feedback indicates a need for stronger efforts within patient involvement. There is broad agreement that patient involvement is not only crucial for a higher satisfaction, it also important for appropriate prioritisation in the health services we offer individual patients. More patient involvement is one of the eight national goals for the health services set every year by the Ministry of the Interior and Health.
Next step and future progress
The Health Committee and the Social and Mental Health Services Committee will discuss the results of LUP 2023 in the coming months. Hospitals will continue their work to increase patient satisfaction locally as well as regionally. As part of continuous focus on learning, the corporate management and the Centre for Patient Involvement will hold a seminar on patient involvement for clinics in the Capital Region of Denmark on 20 March 2024. During the seminar, two departments that have focused work on maintaining or improving patient satisfaction will be presented with the Capital Region of Denmark’s patient satisfaction award.