AS WE reach the summer recess the National Survey for Wales provides a timely snapshot of the experiences of people in Wales over the past year and sets out encouraging results.

The National Survey for Wales, which began in 2012, is based on face-to-face interviews with more than 14,000 people across Wales each year. The survey collects robust, detailed information on the views of people in Wales on a wide range of subjects.

The survey shows that 91 per cent of people in Wales were satisfied with the care they received from their GP and 92 per cent were satisfied with the care they received at their last NHS hospital appointment.

Other health findings show that 96 per cent of hospital patients felt treated with dignity and respect; and that 79 per cent of people, who had used the ambulance service, were satisfied with the time taken for the ambulance to arrive.

This is also supported by the latest Fundamentals of Care audit, with states patient satisfaction with the NHS care they receive is continuing to improve. The report shows that patients reported they were happy with the care they received to alleviate pain and provide comfort and 99 per cent said they felt safe when receiving care in hospital.

The operational audit results also showed an overall improvement, from 84 per cent compliance in 2013 to 88 per cent, with a 13 per cent improvement in the sleep, rest and activity standard.

Survey questions on education and parental support showed that 81 per cent of parents helped their children with reading and writing at least several times a week. Over 75 per cent of parents were confident helping their primary school aged child to read or write in English; 60 per cent were confident in their ability to help their child with maths.

An encouraging statistic was that more people (60 per cent) than in previous years had no difficulties keeping up with their bills and financial commitments – up from 50 per cent in 2013-14 and 48 per cent in 2012-13.

Internet access and use continues to increase with 78 per cent of households accessing the internet – up from 75 per cent in 2013-14 and 73 per cent in 2012-13. The survey found that 83 per cent of people in Wales are satisfied with their daily lives.

Good progress is being made, and the survey results provide promising results, but there is still much to do.

More than 95 per cent of Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commitments have been delivered, or are on track to being delivered, including doubling Flying Start childcare provision; 500 new Community Support Officers on the streets of Wales; and the creation of Jobs Growth Wales.

The Welsh Labour government will ensure that this focus is maintained with further improvements delivered to services and citizens’ experiences.