Results of the 2024 National Inpatient Experience Survey have been published today, highlighting the experiences of patients in public acute hospitals across Ireland. This year, 12,367 patients took part in the survey, sharing feedback on their experience of care in Irish hospitals. 

The survey revealed that the majority of respondents (85%) rated their hospital care experience positively, with 58% rating their care as “very good” and 27% as “good”. 

Compared to 2022 survey findings, the 2024 results show that patients’ rating of their overall care experiences have improved, particularly regarding being discharged from hospital, which had consistently received the lowest scores in previous surveys. 

In 2024, patients indicated positive interactions with healthcare staff, with: 

• 83.8% reporting they always felt treated with respect and dignity
• 79.1% always had confidence and trust in hospital staff hospital staff
• 78.7% reporting adequate pain management
• 79% feeling fully confident in the safety of their treatment and care.

Despite overall positive feedback, patients identified a number of key areas to be improved, and highlighted long waiting times in the emergency department:

• 19.7% said they were unable to find staff to discuss their worries 
• 15.3% reported not receiving enough information on managing their condition post-discharge
• 13.4% said their family did not have enough opportunities to talk to a doctor
• 72.6% reported waiting longer than six hours before being admitted to a ward, with 1,078 people (13.4%) waiting more than 24 hours.

The National Inpatient Experience Survey 2024 also found differences in patient experiences across socioeconomic groups when analysed against the level of deprivation where they live, as calculated by the Pobal HP Deprivation Index.

The survey found that patients from disadvantaged areas were more likely to report being treated with respect and dignity while in hospital, as well as receive more frequent introductions from hospital staff, and have higher satisfaction with hospital food in comparison to those from affluent areas. In contrast, patients from affluent areas were less likely to feel they received adequate information on managing their condition post-discharge. 

Responding to the survey findings, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, said: “The National Inpatient Experience Survey is a valuable resource that provides patients with a voice and helps the health service in responding to their needs.

This year, the survey included five new questions relating to patient safety, and the responses indicated a largely positive experience. This indicates that people feel confident in the safety of their treatment and care, with good communication about their care and treatment between doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.

The results of this survey highlight improvements in many areas compared to 2022 and I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our many healthcare professionals who have contributed to this. I particularly wish to thank all the participants for giving generously of their time in completing the survey."

Angela Fitzgerald, HIQA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Respecting individuals’ human rights is fundamental to delivering high-quality healthcare and is closely tied to patients’ overall experience. As an organisation committed to person-centred care, we recognise that listening to the lived experiences of patients and prioritising clear communication with them are essential components in understanding and meeting their needs. The National Inpatient Experience Survey is vital for amplifying patients’ voices and ensuring their experiences drive meaningful improvements in Irish hospitals.”

Bernard Gloster, HSE Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘‘I want to thank every individual who took the time to respond to this survey and share their experiences. Listening and learning is a core part of delivering safe, effective healthcare. This survey identifies key areas for improvement in patient care, as well as strengths that we can build on. 

I want to reassure patients we will use this valuable feedback to continue to work to improve our services. This work is already underway in our hospitals through the quality improvement initiatives outlined in the HSE response report, also published today. While we have seen improvements in 2024 with our acute hospitals delivering higher levels of activity and treating more patients, there has been increased demand and higher than anticipated levels of attendances. We will continue to take every opportunity to ensure our emergency departments treat those who need emergency care as quickly and safely as possible. This critical area remains a high priority for us to improve.’’ 

To coincide with the national survey results, 40 local hospital reports have also been published today and are available. The HSE has also published a response to the survey findings on the local and national initiatives being developed to improve the quality of care provided to patients. All reports are available at www.yourexperience.ie. 

To find out more about the results of the survey watch our short animation, and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.

Ends 

For further information please contact:

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, HIQA
085 8055202 | mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the editor

• The National Inpatient Experience Survey ran in May 2024 and offered patients the opportunity to describe their experiences of public acute healthcare in Ireland. It aims to find out from patients what is working well in our health service, and where improvements are necessary. 
• The National Inpatient Experience Survey is part of the National Care Experience Programme, a joint initiative by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health. The Programme also includes the National Maternity Experience Survey which will be open to eligible participants in 2025.
• 30,103 people who were discharged from 40 acute public hospitals in Ireland were invited to participate in the National Inpatient Experience Survey. In total, 12,367 people took part in the survey. It is the largest survey of its kind in Ireland.
• Compared to 2022, the 2024 survey showed progress in many areas, particularly in patient communication and involvement in care decisions as well as discharge care. However, some areas saw a decline, with patients reporting reduced privacy and less frequent introductions by staff.
• The survey revealed notable differences in hospital care experiences among certain cohorts with women, younger patients (aged 16-35 years), and those with disabilities reporting lower satisfaction levels than other groups. Patients with planned admissions also had more positive experiences (93.5%) compared to those admitted in emergencies (82.5%).
• The survey findings were also analysed in line with the Pobal HP Deprivation Index —Ireland's primary social gradient tool, used by Government departments and state agencies to identify geographic disadvantage. Available at: https://www.pobal.ie/pobal-hp-deprivation-index/ 
• In addition to the structured survey responses, participants provided 19,596 comments on their experiences, giving insights into both positive and negative aspects of their care. These comments enhance understanding of patient needs and expectations, offering valuable context to the quantitative survey results.