Patients are being given the chance to have their say in improving their healthcare at hospital.

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has launched a “SpeakUp” campaign, which encourages people to ask questions, be involved in their own care and know their rights and responsibilities. Patients are also urged to take part in an independent patient satisfaction survey carried out by US firm Press Ganey.

The announcement came as Patient Safety Week swung into action at the BHB yesterday.

Director of quality and risk management, Judy Richardson, said: “Evidence shows that patients who are involved in their care and ask questions have better outcomes.

“People may not realise the power they have to make their own care a positive experience.

“Our goal with this campaign is to provide patients with information and advice on their rights so they feel equipped to be actively engaged in their care.

“We want everyone to know they have a right to understand their care plan, to ask questions of their healthcare team and to access information about their treatment.”

Brochures and information sheets on patients’ rights and responsibilities will be provided to people receiving care as in or outpatients.

SpeakUp includes lobby displays and literature about patient rights and responsibilities at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital yesterday and at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute today, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mrs. Richardson described the patient satisfaction survey as “a further step towards being a listening, responsive hospital, partnering with our patients to improve the quality of care”.

She said it would give patients a stronger voice in improving care at the hospital and allow BHB to compare its results against overseas hospitals.

Surveys are being sent out daily to randomly chosen patients who have received care at the KEMH. Mrs. Richardson added: “Our purpose is to provide international quality care — this survey will provide critical data that can be measured against hospitals overseas.

“It will focus our efforts on areas seen by patients as needing improvement, while allowing us to recognise staff who are providing great care. It will help us improve standards of care for Bermuda.” People receiving the survey are encouraged to return it using the enclosed, self-addressed, stamped envelope.

See Body & Soul, Page 17