Improving patient dignity

 

Most patients in hospital, will probably have encountered a particular patient gown used widely across the NHS. It is the backless one. They are used in the Royal Surrey as in many other hospitals.  Even those who are fit will be challenged to tie a bow behind the neck and if, in error, a knot is tied it will be a struggle to get the gown off. More significantly dignity will have been compromised by a display of underwear or worse (as in the photograph modelled by me !!!).  To solve the problem, some hospitals including the Royal Surrey give out two gowns– one for front and one for back.

For some time I have been of the view that these gowns should be replaced right across the NHS by a wrap-around style. Letters to Royal Colleges, the Department of Health, the Care Quality Commission and current Health Ministers and their shadows in opposition parties have failed to gain traction. Not unreasonably they pointed out that such matters are for local decision.

Since the Royal Surrey used these gowns I, as a Governor, raised the matter at an Annual Members Meeting. I was delighted that the Trust’s Chief Nurse agreed with the comments about the unsatisfactory aspects of the gowns and decided to undertake an investigation into a possible solutions.

Alternative gowns, including wrap-around styles, are available. However, as no gown is without its drawbacks, an evaluation was undertaken. Three options were selected and one chosen, which is known as the ‘three armed toga’ (see photograph). The Trust purchased 500 of these gowns and they were trialled over three months on different wards and departments. A questionnaire survey showed 90 per cent felt the new gown offered dignity, good coverage and a better fit. Patient comments included, “the new gown is a fantastic improvement.” 

The result is that the Trust will now be introducing the new wrap-around gowns to all suitable wards and outpatient departments. The existing style of gowns will continue to be used for some patient groups, including the very elderly and frail, who may find the toga too confusing.

So well done the Royal Surrey – a great improvement in patient dignity.

Now I hope to get my fellow Governors in other hospitals to encourage the same.