Housekeeping, Catering and Maintenance given thumbs up by patients at Weston General Hospital

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Patients gave housekeeping, catering and maintenance at Weston Area Health NHS Trust (WAHT) the thumbs up in a new Patients Led Assessment report by awarding the Trust an average of 92% in a recent inspection. Developed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, the assessments, which have recently been released have been created as part of a national drive to make sure that patients are more involved in standards and inspections of healthcare premises.

 

Reacting to the report, Chris Perry, Director of Nursing said “Housekeeping, catering and maintenance staff are some of the unsung heroes of the NHS. Every day they work hard behind the scenes keeping the hospital running and supporting patients and clinical teams. This report is a real testament to their commitment. Cleanliness, safety, food, and privacy are hugely important and we’re delighted to have scored so well.”

 

WAHT scored

  • 98% for cleanliness
  • 89 % for food and hydration
  • 91% for privacy, dignity and wellbeing
  • 89% for condition, appearance and maintenance

 

PLACE (Patients-led assessment of the care environment) is a national initiative launched in April 2013. September’s report is the first to be published.

 

The Weston assessments took place on the 15 May 2013. The team was made up of five patient assessors and five Trust staff (PLACE assessments require a 50% split between patients and employees) and were overseen by an independent verifier from Musgrove Park Hospital.

 

The assessments looked at:

  • Cleanliness of wards, including bathrooms, furniture, fixtures and fittings.
  • Condition, appearance and maintenance of sites, including decoration, signage, linen and car-park access.
  • Patients’ privacy, dignity and wellbeing, including their changing and waiting facilities, appropriate separation of single sex facilities, telephone access and appropriate patient clothing.
  • Patients’ food and hydration (including assessment of choice, taste, temperature and availability over 24 hours).

 

For further information, please contact Rebecca Rafiyah Findlay Head of Communications on 01934 647091 or via rebecca.findlay@nhs.net