UK patients are calling for better and earlier access to accurate diagnosis of health problems, according to new survey data from the Patients Association.
Many patients would consider paying to get tests done privately if they faced a long wait for NHS tests.
Nine in ten (90%) of UK patients say it should be more straightforward to get the diagnostic tests they need
Three in five (60%) said they would be willing to pay to get a test done if they faced a long wait, or the test they needed wasn't available on the NHS
Over three in five (61%) believed being able to test at home could help speed up diagnosis
Patients want to know how to get the tests they need, why they are having them, and when they can expect results.
The survey, undertaken in partnership with Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, represents the views of over 1,000 patients from all over the UK, who had received diagnostic support from the NHS during the preceding six months.
Nine out of ten (90%) of the people who completed the survey said it should be easier to obtain access to the diagnostic tests they need. They also wanted:
Better understanding of why they were being sent for a test
Increased speed and urgency
Improved access
A greater sense of empowerment when it comes to diagnostic tests, results, and subsequent treatment and care.
Access challenges
The findings also demonstrated several challenges experienced by patients in gaining access to diagnostic tests.
One-third of respondents (33%) said when they tried to get a test, they found there were no local appointments available. This reflects national data on the large numbers of patients unable to access diagnostic tests and services, even before consideration is given to any waiting lists for any treatment they may require.
Almost four in five (78%) patients felt testing facilities should be provided closer to patients’ homes to make access easier
Seven in ten (70%) wanted a clearer understanding of how to access tests. Some respondents highlighted services are sometimes not available as advertised.
Speed and urgency of access to testing was another significant problem identified by survey. Only one in ten (11%) of respondent said they have never had any issues getting either a test or their results, or faced no consequences if they did.
For those living with long-term conditions, delays and difficulties in accessing diagnosis have had significant consequences. Nearly one in five (17%) respondents said their long-term recovery was significantly set back. Many more reported consequences for their mental and physical health, and their wider work and family life.
Respondents were also unhappy about a lack of access to, and clear explanation of, test results. Almost nine in ten (88%) patients wanted a realistic timeline for their test results to come back and a similar number (87%) called for a better explanation of what those results meant for them and for their treatment.
Patient-created solutions
The survey discovered patients are finding ways around the challenges they face. For example, when asked whether they'd be willing to pay to get a test done privately if they faced a long wait or if the test needed wasn't available on the NHS, three in five (60%) of respondents said they would. This included patients who didn't consider themselves to be ‘rich’.
The finding that so many patients would consider paying for tests shows the importance they place on getting a timely, accurate diagnosis, even if they had to pay.
Sustainable solutions
The survey’s results show many patients have a clear view on how diagnostic services in the UK could be improved.
Being able to test at home was seen as one way to make services more accessible. Nearly two thirds (61%) of respondents believed expanding options to test at home could help speed up diagnosis. When asked about specific examples, the numbers were even higher, perhaps building on our collective experience of testing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over three quarters (77%) said they'd be happy to test themselves at home.
Investing in diagnostics and new technology was supported by most of the respondents. For example, over half (57%) the respondents felt the use of new technology such as AI could speed up diagnosis and reduce pressures on the NHS. A significant and important factor since nearly one-third (29%) said they delayed seeking tests to avoid wasting NHS time and resources.
Looking to the future
Almost nine in ten (86%) felt testing and diagnosing conditions more quickly would help reduce the NHS backlog. While patients want to feel more empowered in taking charge of their own health, they are also keen solutions are sought to support NHS efficiency and sustainability over the longer-term.
Rachel Power, the CEO of the Patient Association, said: “Patients value diagnostic services. And that’s very clear from our survey.
"Frustrations about access to tests came over loud and clear. Those taking the survey obviously value being partners in their care. And to partner with the professionals sending them for tests, patients need and want clear communication on how to get the tests, why they need tests, and when they’ll get the results. Healthcare professionals can improve patient-centred care when ordering diagnostic tests by explaining how, why and when.”
Said Geoff Twist, the MD of Roche Diagnostics, UK & Ireland: “Tests that detect or diagnose disease early, or in some cases prevent it, can play a vital role in the patient journey, and also helping the health system work more efficiently.
"This report shows patients see and understand the importance of diagnostic tests, and that they will proactively seek them out to find the answers they need about their health. The message is clear. But to realise this we need a renewed policy focus, setting out how we can speed up getting existing diagnostic tests and innovations to the people who need them. Prioritising diagnostic services can help to relieve some of the pressure on our NHS today and protect it for generations to come.”
You can download the Patient Experience of Diagnostics Report here: https://www.patients-association.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=224074b2-a4cc-4b58-986c-69635ec57e3a
No comments:
Post a Comment