Sharing Ideas

The staff of Ward 42 University Hospital North Tees decided to ask any person who attended the ward on the 1st of February, to give 1 idea of what we could change or do to improve the care we give to our elderly patients. We devised a postcard which we had specially printed and gave 1 to patients, visitors and staff. We discussed our idea with the trust dignity team who decided to roll out the idea to all wards in our trust hospitals and in the community. Ward 42 also ran a cake stall with cakes baked by staff, we held a tombola and raffle with prizes donated by staff, visitors and local companies. we raised £640 which we spent on signage for dementia patients, dementia clocks, jigsaws, painting sets, reminiscence cards, games and books to help our patients with speech problems. The staff from Ward 42 dressed in hospital pyjamas and nightdresses to help put across the point to patient relatives that it is more dignified for patients to dress in their own clothes in hospital. Everyone had a good time , and it was good for us all to reflect on the care we give. The postcards gave us some good ideas of things we can do to improve our patients experiance.