Improving the NHS Patient Experience Surveys Programme

The programme of NHS patient surveys managed by CQC constitutes the single largest source of evidence on people's experience of health care. Although the content of the surveys has changed over time, the methodology used has remained fundamentally unchanged. Despite its high quality and strong heritage, there is room for improvement and growth. Indeed, changes to CQC's regulatory approach coupled with the recommendations of the Francis Inquiry, require changes to the approach. This paper summarises proposals to pilot four key enhancements to the audit hospital inpatient survey methodology and to expand coverage to include children and young children.