Enter and view: Ladywell Unit

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

Healthwatch Lewisham visited Ladywell Unit (Lewisham Hospital site) from 02/04/2014 until 14/04/2014.

The key findings highlighted areas in relation to patient feedback, staff feedback and observation. Overall Healthwatch Lewisham had a good impression of the Ladywell Unit however felt there was some room for improvement. On the whole, patients shared positive experiences with Healthwatch Lewisham about their stay on the wards at the Ladywell Unit however some patients were less positive about their experience. Healthwatch Lewisham felt that standards of cleanliness were adequate however suggested that some areas needed attention. Temperature in all of the wards seemed to be a common theme and was repeatedly described as hot and stuffy with a lack of fresh air. Reports on food seemed satisfactory however patients felt there should be bigger portions and more choice. Food was a theme across most of the wards and appeared to be a talking point at weekly community meetings. Healthwatch Lewisham were very impressed with the community meetings that take place in the wards every week and saw this as a positive platform for patients to voice their opinions on services being provided to them. Healthwatch Lewisham felt that the community meetings are a good example of best practice. Patients spoke very highly of the gym in the hospital and Healthwatch Lewisham agreed that patients should be encouraged to use the gym to help with the patient’s health and wellbeing. A key improvement for the Unit is patients’ ongoing involvement in the care planning process and patients having a say in their treatment. Patients had a low awareness of having a care plan, often not being aware of their care plan at all. Those that reported having a care plan did not seem to have much ownership over them. Most people that Healthwatch Lewisham spoke to said they would like to be involved in a care plan and felt this would be a positive step towards their recovery. A common theme across the wards with the exception of Hayworth was the lack of activities taking place during the day, Healthwatch Lewisham felt this should be addressed. Healthwatch Lewisham also felt that staff on the wards could make more of an effort to get to know patients as individuals.

There were 27 recommendations documented within the report.