The latest survey reflects the experiences of patients who stayed overnight at the Trust during November 2025.
At DBTH, a total of 425 patients completed the survey, which asks about experiences including treatment, communication, meals, medicines and leaving hospital.
Overall, across DBTH’s hospital sites – Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital – 99% of respondents said they were treated with dignity and respect, while 85% rated their experience of hospital care seven out of 10 or higher. A further 97% said they had confidence and trust in their doctors, with similarly strong feedback for nursing care.
There were also encouraging improvements compared with the previous year, with more patients saying they were able to take their own medication when needed and received enough help to eat their meals.
These figures rose from 79% to 89% and from 85% to 90% respectively, while the proportion who said their ongoing health or social care needs had been discussed before they left hospital increased from 76% to 82%.
Particularly strong results were also recorded across individual services. Trauma and Orthopaedics achieved 100% positive scores for kindness and compassion and dignity and respect, while 93% rated their overall experience seven out of 10 or higher.
In Urology, the service recorded 100% positive scores for confidence and trust in both doctors and nurses, while General Surgery recorded 100% positive scores for dignity and respect, privacy, pain control and receiving help when needed.
General Internal Medicine also saw improvement, with the proportion rating their overall experience seven out of 10 or higher rising from 77% to 84%.
Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at DBTH, said: “These findings give us a great deal to be proud of, particularly that 99% of patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect, alongside improvements in areas such as medicines, nutrition and support when leaving hospital.
“They also show us clearly where we need to do better, including communication while patients wait for planned procedures, information about Virtual Ward care and support when leaving hospital.
“Our ambition is to become one of the country’s top-performing trusts for patient experience. These results give us a strong platform to build on, and we will continue to listen to our patients and use their feedback to improve year on year.
“I would like to thank everyone who shared their experience, and our colleagues for the compassion and professionalism they show every day.”
The Trust will now use the findings to target further improvements, including clearer information for patients waiting for procedures and those using Virtual Wards, better identification and communication of dietary needs, and making sure patients and carers have the information they need about medicines, ongoing care and who to contact after leaving hospital.
The Adult Inpatient Survey is carried out annually, giving patients the opportunity to share their experiences and help shape further improvements in care, with the next opportunity early next year.
