A HEALTH trust is carrying out a survey to find out what community mental health service users think about the care they receive. Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust will use the feedback to improve service users’ experiences and the results will help to highlight areas where they perform well and identify the areas for improvement.

James Barton, director for pan-Dorset mental health services, said: “Obtaining feedback from service users and taking account of their views and priorities is vital for bringing about improvements in the quality of care.

“The results from the survey will enable the trust to track service users’ experiences of the care received at the trust since the last survey was undertaken in 2011. “We hope that our service users will take the time to help us with this survey. Their views are vital in helping us to find out how we are doing and how we can improve. “Participating in the survey is also an excellent way for service users to help shape the services we provide in the future.”

People who used community mental health services between July and September 2011 may receive a questionnaire during February and March 2012, asking them about their experiences. The questionnaire will ask about various aspects of their care, including the quality of care and treatment, medication management and communication with health and social care workers.