HEALTH authorities are obliged to consult with the public on services in their area – but do people really care?

Often, it is done by primary care trusts sending out questionnaires to people in their homes but concerns have been raised about the very poor return rate.

Recently, Herefordshire Primary Care Trust mailed out 1,500 questionnaires to patients who had been referred to Hereford County Hospital in one week in June last year.

Only 535 people bothered to complete and return them, just 36 per cent.

The only good news is that people in the county are more co-operative than anywhere else in the 17 PCTS in the West Midlands, having the highest return rate of the lot.

The trust gleaned the following from the answers returned:

■ Only 31 per cent talked with their GP about a choice of hospital although a further 62 per cent said they didn’t talk, but didn’t mind.

The PCT plans to work with GPs to make patients more aware of the choice of hospitals available.

■ The survey found that 42 per cent of patients said their appointments at the County Hospital were too early, compared with the regional average of 30 per cent.

Paul Edwards, of the PCT, said more than half those who responded were aged 65 and over and transport options early in the morning could be limited.

As a result, patients are to be made more aware of options such as buses straight to the hospital, village wardens and patient transport services.

“We have also appointed a new ambulance provider for non-emergency hospital use. Provided by Patients First, the service started on May 1,” he said.

Leaflets will also be put in GP surgeries with details of transport options for patients attending the County Hospital.

■ At least 17 per cent who completed the survey said they had to wait longer than 30 minutes to be seen, compared with the regional average of 22 per cent.

The PCT believes this could be due to people arriving at hospital too early.

The hospital plans to look at the times in detail to see if more action is needed.