Patients will soon be able to instantly provide feedback on the care given to them with the introduction of new feedback cards on every South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) ambulance.

The small business cards, which are expected to be on board ambulances in the coming weeks, feature a QR code allowing patients to scan it with a smart device, if they have one. The QR code will then take them to SECAmb’s Patient Experience Questionnaire which is also hosted on its website.

Giving a card means that if a patient doesn’t have a smart device or they don’t feel well enough to provide their feedback at the time they are being cared for, they can take the card with them and provide their feedback at a later time.

The cards provide an additional way of gathering patient feedback with the only previous way for people to officially provide feedback being through contacting the Trust’s patient experience team.

Recognising that obtaining feedback via the questionnaire from patients is very reliant on them having a smart device or a computer, it is not the only way patients can share their views as we still welcome people’s letters, cards and calls to our patient experience team who ensure patient feedback is captured and shared appropriately. Details of how to get in touch can be found on the Trust’s website: Patient Advice & Liaison – PALS – NHS South East Coast Ambulance Service (secamb.nhs.uk)or by calling 0300 1239 242

SECAmb Patient Engagement Lead, Vikki Baldock said: “Having this instant feedback will be really valuable and is just one approach we are taking to give patients to communicate with us about the service they receive.

“We understand that this approach may exclude some groups of people so we absolutely continue to welcome the more traditional approach of getting in touch with our patient experience team.

“The questionnaire offers an informal approach to providing feedback as people are not required to provide personal information about themselves unless they wish to, and for which there is a free-text field to allow for this.”

SECAmb recently introduced its community forums which have allowed patients to share their experiences about our services as well has learn more about what we’re doing to improve the care we provide.

Anyone who would like to learn more about SECAmb’s patient engagement work or would like to get involved, is asked to email engagementteam@secamb.nhs.uk