Patient satisfaction with services in medium secure units

Abstract

User satisfaction is important in the evaluation of mental health service provision. There is an apparent paradox in surveying opinions on satisfaction among those detained compulsorily in medium secure units (MSUs), yet satisfaction with services is important in the process of engagement in this group of long-stay patients and is relevant to efficacy of services. In all, 57 inpatients from three MSUs completed a structured satisfaction questionnaire in which they indicated their level of satisfaction with a wide range of aspects of service. The pattern of results suggests that MSU inpatients are discriminating in their evaluation of different aspects of service and feel able to report dissatisfaction where this is warranted. There was consistency among participants in their evaluation of services; high numbers reported contact and satisfaction with their care team, while lower numbers reported satisfaction with the food provided in the units. Some important age differences emerged, with the younger patients reporting greater dissatisfaction. Ethnicity was not found to have a large influence on level of satisfaction. User satisfaction surveys can be informative when used with groups of compulsorily detained patients. This group reported high levels of overall satisfaction and the data could be used to identify aspects of service provision that require attention and improvement.