Patients Can Now Rate NHS Dental Practices
by Patricia Montgomery, LincsMag Writer.
Date: 01 January 2011
Patients can now rate NHS dental practices on a new online service launched last December 2010 by Health Minister Simon Burns.
With 1.2 million visits to dentists every month, the Government has launched a new service that will make it easier to find key information about dentists in one place.
Similar to other Internet comparison websites, patients will be able to view information such as opening times and additional services offered by England’s 22,000 NHS dentists on one page (The service can be accessed via: www.nhs.uk/dentalservices) without having to search multiple sources. Patients can read other people’s comments about:
- How easy it is to get an appointment;
- How highly they would recommend the dental practice;
- How well patients are treated by staff; and,
- If patients felt they were involved in decisions about their care.
“The internet has become a two-way street. Rather than just viewing information online like people did years ago, it’s the norm for people to share experiences and leave comments for others to read. Businesses have adapted to this powerful development, and the NHS needs to as well.” exclaimed Simon Burns Minister for Health and he added,
“From today people will be able to directly communicate with NHS dental staff online, giving them a clear picture of the results they are achieving. They can use this information to improve their services, and achieve our aim of health outcomes being among the best in the world.”
Patients can already rate services at hospitals and GP practices online, and a similar service that allows expectant parents compare maternity services was launched last December 2010.
Unique Partnership With Independent Website
NHS Choices, which receives seven million hits a month on average, with around 200,000 searches for dental practices, is also announcing a unique partnership with independent website Patient Opinion; a website that enables patients to share their experiences of health care services.
From now on, comments left by patients on the Patient Opinion site will be republished on NHS Choices, giving patients even more information to make informed decisions about their care.
Dr Paul Hodgkin, chief executive of Patient Opinion, said: "We're delighted to partner with the NHS to carry the voices of patients and their carers more powerfully into local health services.
"This imaginative collaboration between NHS Choices and Patient Opinion is an excellent example of Big Society principles in action. By linking an independent grass-roots social enterprise with a major public service, this partnership enables even more people to give their feedback to the NHS, and more local organisations to join the conversation and monitor how services are changing."
