Patient satisfaction on a high in Felixstowe

Patients in the Felixstowe area are receiving fast, effective treatment from the town's minor injuries unit, with nearly everyone who has used the service willing to recommend it to their friends and family.

Recent patient satisfaction surveys show that the Serco-run unit would be recommended by virtually all the patients who fed back after using it in the summer. They described the service as "superb" and "wonderful", with one even commenting "the people of Felixstowe are very fortunate to have this excellent facility".

The new results follow a busy summer for the minor injuries unit (MIU), based at Felixstowe Community Hospital. The unit is part of Suffolk Community Healthcare, which is run by Serco with its partners, South Essex Partnership Trust and Community Dental Services CIC.

During just three months, 1,820 adults and 450 children visited the MIU for the first time for help with gardening injuries, beach scrapes, allergic reactions and even two monkey bites sustained while patients were abroad. Although lots of people attended for help, the average length of stay was just 23 minutes - another factor which was praised by patients.

"We are absolutely delighted with the results of this latest friends and family test, which show that 98% of people who used the unit would recommend it to others," said Serco's MIU manager, Lynn Lowdell.

"Patients commented on the prompt treatment and high quality of care they received, and also praised the advice they were given on treating their injury when they got home. This is a testament to the hard work of our team in Felixstowe, who are all very proud of the service we provide. "

The MIU offers a fast, local alternative to the emergency department at Ipswich Hospital for a wide range of minor injuries, including cuts and bruises, bites, minor burns and scalds, sprains, strains, fractures, sports injuries and eye problems. We are open from 7am to 10pm every day and anyone who needs help can simply drop in."

The survey results also showed that 100% of patients either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' they had complete confidence in staff and were made to feel comfortable during their treatment.

"These survey results are brilliant news," added Lynn. "But we will not become complacent and will continue working hard to provide the best possible service to our patients while finding ways to improve still further."