Young healthwatch Northamptonshire and shooting stars visit to Kettering General Hospital
Download (PDF 1.77 MB)Summary of report content
On Wednesday 3 April 2018, three members of Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and two members of Shooting Stars1 visited Kettering General Hospital to conduct an Enter and View style visit in three different children’s departments – Paediatric Emergency Department, Paediatric Outpatients and Skylark ward to give feedback to the hospital about the areas from the perspective of young people. Healthwatch Northamptonshire worked with Shooting Stars to include the perspective of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Overall it was a great experience; all the staff were great, very welcoming and friendly. The staff seemed happy, the patients appeared to be safe and well looked after. The hospital appeared to be clean and welcoming.
The findings included that children and young people with SEND were well considered on Skylark ward. The staff were very friendly and happy. Security seems to be good - an intercom and video system to thoroughly control who comes in and out of the wards. Pictures of all staff that are on shift that day. The colour of the uniform identifies they role within the department. Medicines are stored safely and securely. Patients we spoke to on the day appeared to be happy. The areas we visited appeared clean.
The recommendations within the report state the signs from the car park to children’s departments need to be clearer. The walls in Children’s Accident and Emergency could have more colour, as the walls at present are not colours that are relaxing. The use of something more child appropriate, such as footsteps on the floor to direct patients to the children’s department in Accident and Emergency. Make books and games for older children available in Children’s Accident and Emergency and Children’s Outpatients. Provide all staff with name badges, consider fun ones. Younger children may struggle to read an ID badge that staff currently have. Work with patients to develop the food menus. Add a breastfeeding chair or a rocking chair to the breastfeeding rooms. Have a suggestion box where people can give their ideas on how to improve the service further or even show their appreciation for the good service they have received. Make one available in the parent’s room too.