Inspectors have also given hospital standards of cleanliness and privacy & dignity the thumbs-up with their fourth consecutive year of “Good” ratings.
This was the outcome of the 2011 Patient Environment Action Teams’ (PEAT) inspection by the National Patient Safety Agency.
Each inspection is carried out by a team consisting of local NHS staff including nurses, matrons, doctors, catering and domestic service managers, executive and non-executive directors, dieticians and estates managers. They also include patients, their representatives, and members of the public.
Weston Area Health NHS Trust Chief Executive Lorene Read said: “This year’s PEAT scores are a well-deserved reflection of all the hard work that has gone on in the hospital in these areas over the past year.
“Our patients’ Exit Cards which they fill in on the day they go home overwhelmingly show that the food we serve and the choices we offer are meeting with their approval.
“We also take cleanliness very seriously and are pleased to have maintained our good record throughout the year.
“We had only one case of hospital-acquired MRSA throughout the whole of 2010/11, which in itself tells you that the hospital is the cleanest and safest it has ever been.
“These successes are a credit to our staff and our patients, who do so much to help us keep vigilant in our battle against infection.
“And we know privacy and dignity are uppermost in our patients’ minds when they come into hospital – which is why we have a team of Dignity Champions working in all disciplines – who monitor our performance and are continually bringing on stream innovative ideas to improve privacy and dignity.
“For example, this year one of their ideas was for all wards to have laminated cards fixed on the wall at the entrance for porters to collect when transferring patients to other departments.
“All staff in departments can now see from the cards where patients are to be returned and patients are not left feeling vulnerable.
“A simple suggestion has made a real difference to patient safety and dignity in care.
“We are however, never complacent, and are continually appealing to patients to help us by pointing out any suggestions they may have for improving in these areas still further.”
For further information contact Caroline Welch on 01934 647091