Weston is one of 25 organisations to be presented this month with a certificate in recognition of its recent progress in putting patient safety at the top of its priorities and being seen to do so by its patients and the public.
Patient Safety First is an NHS Campaign led by a core team of dedicated clinicians and managers from across England all experienced in, and passionate about, improving patient safety in their own field.
Patient Safety First's plan is “to make the safety of patients everyone's highest priority.”
Since signing up in September 2009, Weston has started to implement a set of key initiatives in many areas of patient care and regularly measures its progress.
Senior staff regularly visit all areas of the hospital to listen to colleagues’ suggestions on how safety can be improved for patients, which is important for the ongoing developing of our safety culture.
Chief Executive Lorene Read said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Patient Safety First to be awarded this certificate in recognition of the progress we have made in the area of Patient Safety in the last three months.
”We are always focussed on four themes which guide our thinking and planning and the way we deliver our services to our patients – Safety, then Quality, People and Business.
“I and my fellow Board members make sure that the hospital staff continually seek ways to improve patient safety and these are shared throughout the organisation - which has led to Weston's increasing reputation as one of the most reliable of local health care providers.
“This work is so important to us, it will continue ceaselessly over the coming months. This recognition is very welcome, but it the beginning of the story and not the end.”
Suzette Woodward, Patient Safety First’s Director of Implementation, said: “We are delighted that Weston Area Health NHS Trust is demonstrating commitment to Patient Safety First and is making patient safety everyone’s highest priority.
“Through evidence-based interventions, Patient Safety First aims to help all Trusts reduce avoidable harm and make a real difference to the safety of patients in their care.”
More than 95 per cent (161) of acute Trusts and 63 per cent of non-acute trusts are signed up to Patient Safety First, which was launched in June 2008 to improve patient safety across England.
For further information, please contact: Caroline Welch on 01934 647091 or visit www.patientsafetyfirst.nhs.uk