The South Eastern Health Board is undertaking a series of surveys to get parental feedback on its clinics for children.
The first of the surveys got underway earlier this month and centres on the health board's community audiology service. The findings of the six-week survey, together with a detailed analysis, will be published in the first quarter of next year.
Further surveys are planned to assess the public's perception of other child health clinics. The surveys are part of a designated focus by the South Eastern Health Board on the "people-centred" aspect of its services to children.
As part of this process, a questionnaire has been compiled to gain feedback from parents in relation to the quality of care and accessibility of child health services in the region.
The questionnaire is being sent to parents within 72 hours of their child attending an audiology clinic, with the family being requested to respond within two weeks.
"Data from patient satisfaction surveys is a valuable resource when used to inform, motivate and assist health care providers to identify problems and bring about change and improvement," explained Ms Valerie McGrath, regional child health officer.
The audiology service currently does not offer written information relating to the service. It is envisaged that an information leaflet will be piloted in conjunction with the parental questionnaire.