Enter and view: County Hospital

Healthwatch Herefordshire gather information on people’s experiences of health and social care services and there are times when it is appropriate for Healthwatch Herefordshire to see and hear for themselves how services are being delivered: these visits are called ‘Enter and View’, they are not inspections.

Healthwatch Herefordshire visited County Hospital, Frome Wardon on 21st January 2015.

The key findings highlighted areas in relation to patient feedback, staff feedback and observation. Authorised representatives were guided by Staff and spoke with 14 patients and carers articulating the views of the person they were caring for. The majority of patients had varying degrees of memory impairment, some, however, without cognitive deficiency. Generally, patients and carers found that the service was good, adhered to the 10 principles of dignity, with caring, respectful staff who made patients feel safe, espoused independence and engendered an environment which welcomed feedback.

The recommendations inform the view that on a ward where there are elderly, frail and vulnerable patients, it is absolutely essential that the healthcare professionals use a joined up and coordinated approach to communication, ensuring that patients, or their carers, families and friends, are as well informed as possible. Effective communication forms a fundamental but crucial part of the help and support healthcare professionals deploy in the treatment of their patients’ illnesses.