Public complaints (FUNLHN Annual Report 2020-21)
Number of public complaints reported
Data sourced from the Safety Learning System (SLS), an application that enables all SA Health services to record, manage, investigate and analyse patient and worker incidents and consumer feedback. Note: some complaints have multiple classifications.
Complaint categories | Sub-categories | Number of Complaints 2020-21 |
---|---|---|
Treatment |
Rough / painful treatment |
3 |
Treatment |
Medication |
5 |
Treatment |
Infection Control |
1 |
Treatment |
Inadequate treatment |
25 |
Treatment |
Coordination of treatment |
4 |
Privacy / Discrimination |
Privacy / confidentiality |
13 |
Privacy / Discrimination
|
Inconsiderate service |
2 |
Privacy / Discrimination
|
Discrimination |
2 |
Cost (2) |
Overcharging |
1 |
Cost (2)
|
Billing practices |
1 |
Corporate Services |
Catering |
5 |
Corporate Services
|
Bedside computers |
1 |
Corporate Services
|
Car parking |
4 |
Corporate Services
|
Grounds |
5 |
Corporate Services
|
Hygiene / environmental standards |
14 |
Corporate Services
|
Hotel services (accommodation) |
2 |
Corporate Services
|
Administrative services |
6 |
Communication |
Wrong / misleading information |
9 |
Communication
|
Inadequate information |
9 |
Communication
|
Attitude |
24 |
Access |
Service availability |
7 |
Access
|
Refusal to admit or treat |
1 |
Access
|
Referral |
3 |
Access
|
Discharge or transfer arrangements |
4 |
Access
|
Delay in admission or treatment |
12 |
Access
|
Attendance |
1 |
Total complaint categories | 164 |
Additional Metrics
Additional Metrics | Total |
---|---|
Number of positive feedback comments |
254 |
Number of positive feedback comments
|
158 |
Total number of feedback comments |
412 |
% complaints resolved within policy timeframes |
87.3% |
Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/flinders-and-upper-north-local-health-network-funlhn
Service Improvements
In April 2021, the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network developed an online Consumer Feedback form. Links to the online form are available on the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network page on the SA Health website, along with the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Facebook page. Since April, there have been ten consumers who provided feedback via the online electronic form.
Since April 2020, the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network have been documenting significant improvements that have resulted from consumer suggestions and complaints. This is recorded through the Safety Learning System (SLS) and reports provided to Governance Committees. To date 30 improvements have been recorded in SLS such as:
- Improved administration systems
- Improved disability access to the Whyalla Hospital including a designated drop off/pick up area at the main entrance
- Intended increase in disabled car parking at the Port Augusta Hospital to accommodate increasing demand
- Improved hospital signage
- Improved patient selection on meal menu template
- COVID-19 Immunisation Clinic information for consumers shared with local Councils and media
- Increased Podiatry outreach services to smaller health units
- Family members able to have lunch with Aged Care Resident family members on special occasions
- Improved community waiting area in the Day Surgery Unit at the Whyalla Hospital
- Information available for consumers from qualified Stoma Nurses
- Removal of anti-graffiti film from windows of Whyalla Hospital to improve patient view
- Telephones to be installed into Port Augusta Hospital patient rooms
- SA Pathology car park lines to be re-sprayed at the Port Augusta Hospital
The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network have also developed an action plan to address the areas requiring improvement from the South Australian Consumer Experience Surveillance System (SACESS) Measuring Consumer Experience (MCE) Surveys. The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Leadership Committee have oversight of this action plan and the Partnering with Consumers Committee Consumer representatives have the opportunity to make suggested improvements.
Compliance Statement
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network is compliant with Premier and Cabinet Circular 039 – complaint management in the South Australian public sector — Yes
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network has communicated the content of PC 039 and the agency’s related complaints policies and procedures to employees — Yes