Enter and view: Acute Medical Unit, Shropshire

In July 2016 Healthwatch Shropshire underwent an Enter and View at the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) - Ward 29 in Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH), this was an unannounced visit to gather patient and visitor feedback. During the visit 7 patients and 1 visitor were spoken to, where a short questionnaire was completed with their views about the care and support received whilst on the ward. This questionnaire included whether they felt:-

• comfortable

• able to relax

• confident in staff ability

• supported

• listened to and understood

• communicated with well

Despite it being a very busy ward, most patients said they were ‘very’ comfortable (75%) and ‘very’ able to relax (63%). All the patients who responded to the questionnaire said they felt ‘very’ supported (100%).

Summary of Findings

• All patients reported that they felt staff communicated with them well, and that they were listened to and understood.

• All observations showed staff treating patients with respect and maintaining patients’ dignity when carrying out care tasks.

• Anxious and/or confused patients were treated with patience and consideration.

• Ward staff and others took time to speak with patients, listening carefully and responding clearly.

• We observed staff following patient safety and infection prevention protocols e.g. bare-below-the-elbow.

There were no recommendations from this Enter and View, all information was sent to the provider who were very pleased with the findings.