Enter and view: Fern Ward, King George Hospital

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham undertook an unannounced enter and view revisit to Fern Ward at King George Hospital on 15 July 2015 to speak with patients about three areas of care during their hospital stay: nutrition, personal hygiene and interaction between staff and patients. Representatives spoke to 8 Patients and 2 relatives on the day of the visit. 

Authorised representatives observed this was a positive re visit to Fern ward. Overall improvements were seen across the ward, patients told representatives that the patient information boards consisted of the correct information, including the patients name and named nurse. All call buttons were in working order and in reach of patients. 

There were positive change in the way the catering staff disturbed drinks. Catering staff ask patients if they would like a drink from the entrance of the hallway, but also go closer to the patient if the patient does not respond. This ensures that patients do not miss having a drink. Although this is a positive step for the ward, patients highlighted that catering staff distributing food and drink look unhappy and do not smile. 

Areas highlighted for improvement include issues around incontinence items; one patient spoke of her experience and said she was left unattended for a long while, whilst being wet. Most patients were satisfied by the choice of food, however for patients who need pureed food this is not the case and they felt there is no real choice