New care campaign introduced on Scunthorpe General Hospital ward to address some key patient concerns
A NEW care campaign has been introduced at a ward at Scunthorpe General Hospital to improve patient safety and comfort.
Ward 28, which cares for female patients who have had general surgery, was highlighted as an area of concern in a damning report on Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year.
-
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Scunthorpe General Hospital ward 28 manager Michelle Long chats with patient Joan Stones Picture: David Haber
Now the CARE challenge survey has been introduced on Ward 28 by ward manager Michelle Long to address some key patient concerns.
The programme follows four main themes – communication, effective pain relief, adequate nutrition and ensuring dignity while assisting with people needing the toilet – and aims to get more feedback from patients in order to tackle issues as they arise.
BLINDS & CURTAINS MADE 2 MEASURE WE COVER SCUNTHORPE & GRIMSBY...
View detailsHave a look at our website and view our fantastic new blinds! then you could book a free home visit were we show you more samples and help you choose your new blinds.www.grimsby-sunblinds.co.uk
Contact: 01472 809887
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Ms Long said: "Before, we had no way of getting written patient feedback apart from using thank you cards as a guide.
"Now this survey helps us see the positives and also things we need to improve on.
"What the survey does is ask patients to rate us on different points.
"We give out the forms about twice a week and then display them on our notice board.
"The survey is completely anonymous, so nobody needs to worry about confidentiality.
"So far, we have had generally very positive feedback."
Patients can use the scheme to challenge poor care and also praise different aspects of their treatment.
In conjunction with the scheme, quality matron Hazel Moore will speak to 10 patients at random to find out about the quality of their care.
Hazel said: "It is very important to us as a trust to hear feedback directly from our patients.
"We then use this information to make any improvements needed.
"We want people to recommend the ward to others so it is not daunting for patients coming in."
The survey has already revealed a few key problems the ward has addressed.
Ms Long said some patients thought that some staff had a negative attitude.
"We then spoke to the staff members identified and had a team meeting highlighting what is expected in regards to care," said Ms Long.
"The information has helped us and gives us areas to work on. Patient feedback is the most important and we try to cover everything.
"The positive feedback is a real morale boost for the ward staff.
"In the future, we are hoping to develop the questions and fine-tune the survey."
Comments
by localad
Sunday, January 06 2013, 10:43AM
“I find it rather sad that staff on ward 28 were not already carrying out what are the bare minimum needs for patienst already.”
by IT_MAN
Saturday, January 05 2013, 6:48PM
“I must agree with all you say MoragMcShin:
We need more caring nurses rather than all technical nurses as introduced by the previous goverment making them have a degree from university. We need dedicated trainee nurses maybe as an apprentice system with a day a week at college and maybe an evening a week. With all the young unemployed I would have thought there would be plenty interested in such a job. If they are in rural areas making it difficult to get to work help them in some way.”
by MoragMcShin
Saturday, January 05 2013, 3:41PM
“To avoid intimidation or fear of punishment, these forms should be completely anonymous and returned in blank envelopes. Even better, volunteers could get involved if family members are not available to assist with confidential completion. Many patients who are solely reliant on nursing care daren't complain or give negative feedback.
Of course, the best thing would be if staff treated patients as if they were their own close relatives or in a manner that they would wish to be treated.”
by buttercross
Saturday, January 05 2013, 2:16PM
“Patient feedback forms are fine AS LONG as NO staff member is involved in assisting a patient to complete them!
I might add that this procedure was introduced way back in the mid to late 90's (not sure if it still being used by them now) by Social Services for people living in Residential care.”