Monday 3 December 2012

Dementia Care

I have recently been shown the work which the hospital is doing to improve dementia care. At any time 25% of patients will be suffering from dementia and a further 35% from some sort of cognitive impairment and/or confusion e.g. from a stroke or delirium. Thus recognising such patients and creating a safe and comfortable environment for them is very important.

Currently two 6 bed bays in Wisley ward, one in Ewhurst and one in Eashing have been decorated and equipped with these patients specifically in mind. The bays in Wisley are the latest to be refurbished in such a way and are impressive. For example the walls are yellow (restive colour), the toilet door has a large diagrammatic picture of a toilet and is red. Things such as paper towel dispenser, grab rails, toilet seat are red or surrounded with a red colour to provide strong contrast (red is the last colour to fade with failing eye sight). Tray with water beaker and top of the water jug are red (also indicates patient needs assistance with drinking). Pictures on the walls reflect the current season. There is a large clock with the date in large letters. There is soft relaxing low music in the background and there are activities every day for those who want to participate e.g. dominoes, cards, flower arranging. Extra ceiling lights have been installed to add some brightness and to aid vision. Work is progressing on photos of meals for the hospital menus.

Finance has been secured for all Wisley bed bays to be redecorated and equipped in this way.

Additionally they are promoting patient centred care  through using the "This is me/My care passport" which contains details about the patient which can inform all carers and can be passed to carers outside hospital such as care homes and vice versa. Also all staff in the hospital are to receive some training in dementia care.

All good stuff!!

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Car parking

Lots pf people complain about the parking system at the hospital. To have to pay in advance when visiting a hospital where the wait is so uncertain such as A&E is highly irritating. Even though it is possible to top up that is difficult if you are waiting in a clinic and do not wish to miss your turn. The previous system of paying on exit was infinitely better.

The hospital executive is aware of the complaints and nobody I have met likes the new arrangement. It came about because the delay in obtaining a ticket at the entrance and the time for the barrier then to rise used to cause long tail backs on Egerton Road and blocked the way to the Research Park.

The hospital has long wanted to build a multi-storey car park but the Borough and County Councils have repeatedly refused planning permission on the grounds that it would encourage more cars in to the area. I have to say that is hardly consistent with the Councils recently granting themselves planning permission for a Park and Ride car park between Egerton Road and the A3 which doubtless will overload the new junction being built. Hopefully the new lanes will avoid hindering patient access.

The Councils really should recognise the urgent need for a multi storey car park in the hospital grounds.

Thursday 27 September 2012

A report on my first days

I have attended my first Council of Governors and today attended the quarterly Trust Board Meeting. The papers included the Annual Accounts on performance and finance. In essence the Trust had a resonable financial year with a resonable surplus and the quality accounts showed very good clinical service to us the public. Obviously there were a few concerns here and there but that should not detract from all the very good stuff. This financial year is however going to be tough (as with all NHS hospitals) and the following years will be tougher! A few highlights:
  • The hospital runs a suite of over 80 projects 'Patients First' all aimed at improving patient care. A considerable commitment.
  • the hospital organised a Peer Group Review of its processes for dealing with those with a learning disability. The team included a service user, a carer and two learning disabilty nurses, The feedback from the day was positive and the hospital has agreed an action plan for further improvement.
  • the hospital also organised a Peer Group Review of Privacy and Dignity. The review was undertaken by a senior team from Western Sussex NHS Trust. The overall result was a 'score' of 95% which is good. An action plan has been formulated based on the results.
  • A recent unannounced visit by the Care Quality Commission resulted in a very good report all round. The one downside I picked up was waiting times in OPs. The report should soon be on the CQC web site.
  • MRSA has all but disappeared in the hospital. One case in the year so far.
If anyone wants a copy of the Learning Disability or Privacy and Dignity Report I am sure the hospital will provide one.

Anybody can attend the hospital's quarterly Board meeting. It's a bit mechanistic but the discussion can be interesting. Dates and times on the hospital web site.

Friday 21 September 2012

New Endoscopy Suite

Last Tuesday I was shown around the new endosccopy suite which will open first week of October. Wow - is it wonderful? It certainly is. All the latest clinical equipment of course and state of the art decontamination steriler/washers. As you enter the decor takes your breath away - a very sophisticated lilac and purple theme with matching small bucket chairs and coffee tables in the patient lounges which would do credit to a five star hotel. The walls are in gracious curves and there is plenty of natural daylight. Our hospital has given us something to be really proud of.

Tuesday 11 September 2012

A new Governor

Hi. I am Ray Rogers and in September 2012 I was elected a Governor of the Royal Surrey County Hospital Foundation Trust to represent members of the Trust who live in the Guildford District of Surrey. I promised to keep in touch with those who elected me and this blog is part of fulfilling that promise. I will post here what I do and what I feel you should know about the Trust. I hope you will reciprocate and help me to be a good Governor on Guildford's behalf.

I should say at the outset that I am not empowered to take up complaints on behalf of individuals or individual concerns: they should be directed to the hospital itself (for concerns through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or, for formal complaints, to the Chief Executive). However I do want to know what you think of the hospital (good or otherwise) so that I can tailor my activities accordingly.