Making healthy improvements - The Worcester Observer

Making healthy improvements

Worcester Editorial 20th Jul, 2019   0

DOCTORS and nurses at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have been working to improve the experience for patients attending its emergency departments (ED).

Staff have introduced new ways to improve communication with patients and carers to help them understand how the department works, easily identify ED staff and understand the possible treatment routes after arriving.

These include new displays which outline what to expect in the department, detailing who a patient may see and at what stage; and a new purple uniform worn by ED staff that clearly states their job role, so staff are easily identifiable for all patients.

It is hoped both of these developments will help manage patient expectations, aid understanding, and reduce patient anxiety at what can often be a daunting time.




The signs have already been installed at the Worcestershire Royal site, with the installation of signs at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch taking place this month. The purple uniforms are also being worn in both emergency departments.

Divisional director of operations for urgent care, Wendy Joberns-Harris said: “Our priority is always providing safe, dignified, compassionate care for our patients, and a safe and supportive working environment for our staff, with everyone focused on putting our patients first.


“Both the signs and the uniforms will hopefully improve patient experience in what can already be an unnerving and unfamiliar situation for so many.”

A spokesperson said teams across the Trust were working hard to improve patients’ experience of the urgent care pathway as part of the Home First Worcestershire plan, which aims to ensure patients in need of urgent care are seen in the right place at the right time, with no unnecessary delays.

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