Patients at Lismore Base Hospital are reporting their hospital care as being among the best in the state, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information report. 

Results from the 2018 Adult Admitted Patient Survey show that 75% of patients at Lismore Base Hospital rated their care as ‘very good’ overall and 83% of patients rated their nurses as ‘very good’. 

Compared to other hospitals in the region, Lismore Base Hospital had a significantly higher result for cleanliness of the wards or rooms – with 85% of those surveyed saying they were ‘very clean’.

Across the whole Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), most patients reported high levels of satisfaction with their hospital experience, staff and facilities. 

NNSWLHD chief executive, Wayne Jones said if asked by family and friends about their hospital experience, 84% of patients said they would speak highly, while 76% rated their overall care as very good, both results equalling the highest in NSW. 

“These results are a testament to the continued hard work and dedication of our staff,” said Mr Jones. 

“Their commitment to patient-centred care shows through year after year and it’s great to see this continuing to be reflected in the positive experiences of our patients.” 

More patients in NNSWLHD (85%) rated their nurses as ‘very good’ than anywhere else in the state, while at Casino and District Memorial Hospital the figure was 90%. 

Across NNSWLHD, 90% of patients felt they were ‘always’ treated with dignity and respect, the highest result in NSW. 

The District also recorded the equal highest proportion of patients (83%) reporting their wards or rooms were ‘very clean’. 

At Byron Central Hospital, this figure was 93% - the highest individual hospital result in the state. 

“Every one of our staff rely on someone else doing the best they can to ensure our patients receive excellent care and having such dedicated domestic services staff has a really positive effect on the patient experience,” Mr Jones said. 

“This year’s results are heartening because they build on the positive patient experience results from the 2017 Adult Admitted Patient Survey. 

“In 2018 we saw record numbers of patients coming through our doors, but our staff are continuing to prioritise patient-centred care, and treating our community with compassion and dignity.” 

Between mid-2012 and mid-2019, the NNSWLHD increased its workforce by an additional 843 full time equivalent staff, an increase of 22.4% including 157 more doctors, 280 more nurses and midwives and 114 more allied health staff. 

The 2019-20 budget for Northern NSW Local Health District is over $875 million, this is an increase of more than $37 million on the 2018-19 budget. 

Individual hospital results:

BALLINA DISTRICT HOSPITAL: Recorded a significantly higher result than NSW for time spent in the Emergency Department, with 90% of patients reporting it was ‘about right’ compared to 67% for NSW. 83% of patients reported the wards or rooms were ‘very clean’ compared to 71% for NSW. 

BYRON CENTRAL HOSPITAL: Recorded the highest result in the state (93%) for cleanliness of the wards or rooms, and 83% of patients rated their nurses as ‘very good.’ 

CASINO & DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: Had a significantly higher result for cleanliness of toilets and bathrooms, with 81% saying they were ‘very clean’, compared to 63% for NSW. 90% of patients rated nurses as ‘very good’. 82% of patients said care at the hospital was ‘very well organised’ significantly higher than the NSW result of 66%, and 85% of respondents would speak highly of their experience to family and friends. 

GRAFTON BASE HOSPITAL: 85% of patients rated their nurses as ‘very good’. 80% of patients said toilets and bathrooms were ‘very clean’, while 76% of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’. 

LISMORE BASE HOSPITAL: Had a significantly higher result for cleanliness of the wards or rooms, 85% said they were ‘very clean’, and 75% of patients rated their care as ‘very good’ overall. 83% of patients rated their nurses as ‘very good’. 

THE TWEED HOSPITAL: 77% of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’ significantly higher than the NSW result of 67%, and 87% rated their nurses as ‘very good’, also significantly above the NSW result. 

MACLEAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL: Had a significantly higher result for cleanliness of the wards or rooms, with 88% saying they were ‘very clean’ and 97% of patients reporting that emergency department staff were ‘always’ polite and courteous. 86% of patients said they would speak highly of their experience to family and friends. 

MURWILLUMBAH DISTRICT HOSPITAL: Had significantly higher results than the NSW average for nine questions. 91% of patients rated their nurses as ‘very good’, the equal second highest result for any hospital in NSW, and 81% rated their overall care as ‘very good.’ 93% would speak highly of their hospital experience to family and friends and 87% said hospital wards and rooms were ‘very clean’. 76% said they felt involved in decisions about their care and treatment.