NHS patient survey reveals improvements in care but highlights discharge challenges

The 2025 Adult Inpatient Survey, conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), reveals a mix of improvements and persistent challenges within NHS hospitals in England. While patient experiences regarding staff interactions and involvement in care decisions have shown progress, significant difficulties remain regarding hospital discharge and post-discharge support.

Data shows that 79% of respondents expressed confidence and trust in their nurses, and 77% reported that doctors always included them in care conversations. However, the survey highlights a critical gap in community care: approximately 24% of patients reported not receiving sufficient health or social care support to manage their conditions after leaving the hospital, an increase from 23% in 2024.

The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) attributed these discharge difficulties to ‘sustained underinvestment’ in community and district nursing services. Additionally, the survey found that fewer than half of patients who deemed it necessary reported that their families or carers were provided with the essential information required to assist with home care.