Stoma Appliance Service in the Community: Stoma Care Quality and Cost Effectiveness Review 2015

5. The Survey and Audit Exercise

5.1 As discussed in previous sections to this report, the quality and cost effectiveness review involved a multi-layered audit involving patients/carers, NHS Board staff, DACs, community pharmacies and manufacturers.

5.2 Patients (or carers) were invited to complete a survey questionnaire to assess the level of satisfaction with the stoma appliance service and related care. NHS Board staff, DACs, community pharmacies and manufacturers were invited to complete audit pro forma in relation to their specific role in the provision of stoma care in the community.

Patient/carers

5.3 Patient/carers were asked to comment on a range of questions about their appliance service provider and NHS staff, the quality and content of the service they received and their overall satisfaction with the standard and quality of care.

NHS Staff

5.4 Staff working in NHS Board stoma care services were asked for their feedback and views on the planning of stoma care services, succession planning and continuity of care, and service improvement activity. Views were also sought on the effectiveness of local stoma fora arrangements and their role and contribution in helping to inform improvements to NHS Board services.

Dispensing Appliance Contractors and Community Pharmacies

5.5 The audit pro forma for this audience sought to gauge the level of compliance by contractors with the Specification of Requirements for Dispensing and Supply of Stoma Appliances to Patients in the Community. This included compliance with service standards and quality requirements, statutory obligations in relation to staff, the supply and range of products, and the overall administration of the service.

Manufacturers

5.6 Manufacturers were asked to provide views on the Framework Agreements for hospital and community, and the related processes for products being made available, their impact on cost efficiencies, and the benefits for stakeholders and patient care.

Audit Pro forma

5.7 Sample pro forma distributed to NHS Board lead contacts are included at Appendices 2 to 5.