People across Dorchester have voted ‘caring staff’ as the most important element when staying in hospital.

A new survey, conducted by BMI The Winterbourne Hospital in the county town, focused on attitude towards caring for others and how people view professions that deliver care.

The survey also indicates how social media is fast becoming the most popular way to stay in touch with people.

With just days until Christmas, the ‘Care’ survey revealed that residents across Dorchester believe people would be prepared to perform a selfless act to help someone else in need.

Of those surveyed 55 per cent believed most people would help someone who had fallen in the street; 31 per cent said they would ‘ask someone if they were OK or how they were feeling’; 24 per cent would be happy to use body contact by ‘giving a hug’.

The survey highlighted how we look to certain professions to deliver care when it is needed. Nursing proved to be the profession that is most associated with care (55 per cent), with other caring professions including paramedics (27 per cent) and doctor (10 per cent).

Director of Clinical Services at BMI The Winterbourne Hospital, Bethany Bishop said: “The survey reveals some reassuring information about the community where we live and work.

“It is good to know that residents across Dorchester believe reaching out to others is still an important part of their busy lives.”

Those who responded to the survey were very clear about the most important requirement during a stay in hospital.

Whilst 10% said they would look for clean facilities, 90% said it was the caring staff that was their most important requirement.