The Health Ministry published its National Patient Experience Survey on Tuesday, ranking general hospitals across Israel based on patient satisfaction during admissions between November and March, the height of the war in Gaza.
According to the survey of more than 11,000 adult patients and companions, smaller community hospitals led the list, while several larger institutions, mainly in the North and Center, fell behind. The ministry said the survey is intended to measure patient satisfaction and guide improvements in care.
This is the fifth national survey of its kind since 2014. Interviewers conducted phone surveys within two weeks of discharge among respondents aged 18 and older who had been hospitalized for at least two nights. For the first time, companions were included in the survey, accounting for 11 percent of respondents.
Top Israeli hospitals and those falling behind
Laniado Medical Center in Netanya ranked first with 88 percent overall satisfaction. It was followed by the Scottish Hospital in Nazareth at 87 percent, then the Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth, Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak, and Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat, each at 86 percent. Among tertiary hospitals, Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba led with 85 percent, placing it among the top five overall.
At the lower end were Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon at 79 percent, Wolfson Medical Center in Holon and Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) at 78 percent, Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya at 77 percent, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera and Hadassah Mount Scopus in Jerusalem at 75 percent, and at the bottom, Baruch Padeh Medical Center Poriya with 74 percent.
In total, 82 percent of respondents expressed high satisfaction with their hospitalization experience. That figure is nearly identical to the result in the 2021 survey. The highest-scoring indicator was sense of safety, with 86 percent saying they felt in good hands. The ministry said this reflects continued trust in clinical teams during a particularly challenging time.
Other scores were more mixed. Staff attitude received 84 percent, and the discharge process 83 percent. Only 78 percent said their needs were met without significant effort. The lowest score was for physical conditions, at 76 percent, indicating persistent dissatisfaction with crowding, noise, and overall facility standards.
Department gaps and regional trends
Internal Medicine wards scored significantly lower than Surgical and other departments. Respondents cited overload, cramped conditions, and limited staff availability. Surgical departments received higher scores for personal attention and patient safety during surgery and recovery.
Regionally, Christian community hospitals in the North, including the Scottish and Holy Family, ranked highest for personal service and community-focused care. In the South, Soroka maintained high satisfaction levels despite wartime pressure. In the Center, Laniado and Mayanei Hayeshua, both private-public hospitals with community-based models, also ranked highly.
Health Ministry to use survey data to improve patient care in Israel
The ministry emphasized that the survey is a tool for improving care, not just a ranking. Each hospital receives a breakdown of results by category, department-level comparisons, and a list of areas that require attention.
Respondents identified the human connection between the caregiver and the patient as the most important factor in hospitalization. Doctors, nurses, and allied staff were praised for attentiveness, listening, and accessibility. By contrast, crowding, noise, food quality, bed availability, and long waits for discharge were frequently mentioned as needing improvement.
The questionnaire was developed by a Health Ministry steering committee. It assessed factors including a sense of safety, staff attitude, clarity of information, discharge process, inpatient conditions, and the level of effort required to receive care or answers.
The full rankings have been published on the Health Ministry website.