Getting patients and the public involved in what we do and how we do it has always been very important to Addenbrooke’s.
The governors are keeping up this tradition by leading a number of focus groups. These will look at a variety of issues that affect patients, offering members the opportunity to help influence future policies and strategies, which will, in turn, help to shape service delivery here at Addenbrooke’s.
In order to get a range of views, members are chosen at random and invited to join a small group of Governors. The Governors will write up the work of the Group. See papers on the Governors meetings page .
Focus groups 2004/2005:
At the end of 2004, we asked governors to tell us what topics members had been asking them about and, from that discussion, five focus groups were set up to look at the most common issues for comment and concern.
The members of the groups were selected at random and asked to suggest specific principles for the care and service that patients and visitors should receive whilst at the hospital.
By April 2005, each of these groups had met – and the suggestions that members put forward were fed back not only to the Board of Governors, but also to the relevant people within the different areas of the Trust so that they can help to inform future planning and training.
We couldn’t have done it without the help of those members who took part – so thank you to everyone who participated.
A full copy of the relevant report will be sent out to all those members who attended focus groups, just as soon as they have been finalised.
Recommendations in brief:
It would be impossible to list all the recommendations from each of the five reports here, so if you would like a copy of any of the full reports please contact the Foundation Trust Membership Office on 01223 256 256.
Below are listed two recommendations from each focus group:
Discharge from hospital focus group
Communicate with patients about the timescale of receiving the drugs they will be taking home
Inform the patient (and family with the patient’s consent) of discharge considerations well ahead of discharge
Customer care standards focus group
Staff should be aware of forms of address to patients; first name may not be as given on notes, and some patients may prefer title and surname
Patients need to be informed of recovery times so they know how long they will have to take off work
Communication and patient information focus group
The report is in production
Hygiene focus group
Regular meetings with members to trace progress, inform of current policies, and allow feedback
Prominent locations for signage and hand disinfectant around the Trust
Feeding and nutrition focus group
Senior nurses to be given overall control of ensuring meals are served to patients in a proper manner, with staff receiving training in the basic skills of catering
Re-introduction of protected mealtimes and the provision of dining areas for those patients who are able to use them
The Trust is now following up the recommendations with key staff and managers to see whether in each case anything similar already happens and if it doesn’t, whether systems or processes could be adapted. Updates of findings will appear in future editions of Members Matter.
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