St Vincent’s private hospitals have been ranked first in Australia by Medibank customers for the fourth year running as part of the health insurer’s annual Patient Reported Experience Measures Survey (PREMS).

St Vincent’s – which operates 10 private hospitals in NSW (three), Victoria (four), and Queensland (three), in both metro and regional areas – was ranked first by Medibank’s overnight patient customers in six of the nine categories surveyed, and didn’t finish lower than third in the three other categories. 

St Vincent’s also finished first place for its Net Promoter Score (NPS) ranked by Medibank overnight patients. The NPS is an internationally recognised measure of patient satisfaction in a health environment.

The categories where St Vincent’s private hospitals were ranked first were: nurse communication, doctor communication, pain management, care transition, cleanliness, and quietness. St Vincent’s private hospitals were also ranked first for a patient’s willingness to recommend the hospital to others. 

Medibank’s members were surveyed for their experiences against 12 private hospital groups and private patients in public hospitals. 

Medibank members who had a same day admission also rated St Vincent’s private hospitals higher in all areas than any of its peer hospitals.

St Vincent’s CEO, Chris Blake, said the result was a credit to staff and their commitment to patients. 

“To be ranked first by patients – against our peers – for one year would be an exciting and satisfying result. To be ranked first four years in a row? That’s just incredible,” said Chris.

“Everyone knows that private health in Australia is going through a period of enormous transition. St Vincent’s has been working very hard with our partners – private health funds, government, policymakers, clinicians – to put our best foot forward. 

“This is a validation of what happens when hospitals and health funds partner together in the best interests of patients and members. 

“Earlier this year, St Vincent’s arrived at a new agreement with Medibank. At the time, we said St Vincent’s offered Medibank members the best private healthcare in Australia. It’s wonderful to see that Medibank’s members endorse that view. 

“It takes a lot of effort to be the best in a field as tough and competitive as operating hospitals. But to maintain being the best for four years straight? That’s a huge achievement. 

“This result reflects an enormous amount of work by our private hospitals teams – from our doctors and specialists, to our nursing and allied health staff, through to food, environmental, and administrative services. 

“We’re very proud to receive the news. It tells us we’re on the right track,” said Chris. 

Media contact: Paul Andrews 0409 665 495