Pictured: Representatives from Blackburn with Darwen Carers, Healthwatch Lancashire and Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen join Acute Medical Unit staff at the launch of the new ‘Welcome Guide for Patients, Family and Carers’.
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) has published a new information guide to assist inpatients and their relatives/carers during hospital stays.
The new ‘Welcome Guide for Patients, Family and Carers’ is the work of the Trust’s Patient Experience Team and answers many of the non-medical questions frequently asked by inpatients staying one or more nights in hospital.
“Being admitted to hospital – especially if your admission is unexpected following an emergency – can be confusing for people,” says ELHT Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, Melissa Almond.
“Most inpatients are unfamiliar with life on a hospital ward, so we’ve produced this self-help guide to provide advice and guidance for patients, families and carers.”
Supported by Blackburn with Darwen Carers, Healthwatch Lancashire and Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen, the new guide is initially being given to patients admitted to the Acute Medical Units (A and B) and the Surgical Triage Unit, with plans to add more wards in the near future.
Among the useful information is help to identify ward staff by the colour of their uniform, visiting times, patient and visitor parking, help to ensure good hygiene, how to protect personal belongings and the importance of protected mealtimes.
“Patients and families have questions about things such as the bedside internet, tv and radio services and want to know how to contact the hospital’s spiritual care services,” adds Acting Associate Director for Quality and Safety, Meg Davey.
“It’s all in the new Welcome Guide for Patients, Family and Carers. There’s even a useful checklist to help patients and their carers prepare for discharge from hospital.”
“The Trust meets regularly with our local partners including Healthwatch and carers groups who have worked together to ensure the guide contains information which is really useful for our patients.”
In fact, every patient being admitted to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Burnley General Teaching Hospital, Pendle Community Hospital, Clitheroe Community Hospital or Accrington Victoria Community Hospital for one or more nights will find useful information by downloading the guide from the Trust’s website.