PATIENTS passing through the emergency room at Hillingdon Hospital have experienced problems in areas including receiving medication to control pain and getting information on their treatment.

A survey carried out by the health watchdog for England and Wales, The Healthcare Commission, surveyed 296 people of all ages using the Accident and Emergency (A&E) services at the hospital in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon.

Patients were given a series of questions and the responses turned into a figure between 0 (very unsatisfactory) and 100 (highly satisfactory).

The data was recorded between January and March last year and showed the area which had improved most from the last survey carried out in 2004 was communication between staff and patients.

More than 88 per cent of respondents said overall they were satisfied with the standard of care in A&E, however there were still many areas which needed improvement.

The hospital scored only an average of 54.3 for convenience of parking places and its lowest score was an average of 32.2 for patients informed by a doctor or nurse when they could resume normal activities such as work or driving after treatment.

Other areas which performed less included an average score of 36.7 for being told how long they would wait in A&E before being examined and 51.4 for waiting time after requesting painkillers.

Patients also felt they were not told what potential side-effects their prescribed medication may have which was reflected in the score of 45.7 while the score of 40.5 shows they were not told how to spot danger signs in their conditions.

Finally A&E visitors clearly felt cleanliness was still a problem as the scores for the department and its toilets were low compared to other hospitals in London.

These results match up with the picture painted nationally by the Healthcare Commission and Anna Walker, the chief executive, said: "It is good to see that so many patients are so positive about their care by ambulance staff and in A&E and that there have been improvements in communication, particularly as a visit to A&E will be an anxious time for many.

"These achievements come against a backdrop of significant rises in demand for A&E services. But patients have raised important issues about staff helping to control pain, the information patients are given on discharge, privacy when they book in at reception and access to help when needed. This is important feedback that trusts should listen to.

"We hope all trusts will compare their results with others and act to ensure they match the best. Understanding and responding to experiences of patients is critical in a modern NHS."