A PILOT project inviting patients using community and mental health services in Worcestershire to give their feedback on the care they were given has received positive results.

The Friends and Family Test was rolled out across all services run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust at the start of this month following a pilot at a number of sites including Evesham and Malvern Community Hospitals in December.

The anonymous test asks patients whether or not they would recommend the service to their friends and family and 85 per cent of those responding to the pilot study said they were either likely or very likely to recommend the trust.

The organisation's chief executive Sarah Dugan said the results of the test would be used to improve services.

“We want to ensure that our patients have the best possible experience of care,” she said.

“The Friends and Family Test will provide valuable feedback to celebrate good practice and identify opportunities to make improvements.”

Feedback can be given by completing a short paper survey, by returning a postcard or online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/YOURFFT.

The test does not replace the usual NHS feedback or complaints procedure, which should still be made on 01905 681 517 or via pals@hacw.nhs.uk.

The results will be published every month at www.hacw.nhs.uk.