Enter and view: UHCW Wards 32 and 33

Healthwatch Coventry is undertaking a programme of visits to hospital wards for adults at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) Coventry site. This was agreed based on a review of experiences shared by local people. The aim of the visits is to find out:

• How involve people feel in their care and is care person-centred;
• How communication is working from a patient point of view; and
• How included patients, families and carers feel in the planning, preparation and discharge process.

This report summarises visits to Ward 32 and Ward 33, part of the gastroenterology department. The visit took place on 27 July 2023. Healthwatch Coventry spoke to 11 patients in total, seven patients on Ward 32 and four on Ward 33.

Patients were largely positive in their overall assessment of these wards. Care was generally person-centred, but confidentiality, privacy and dignity were not always maintained. People also highlighted challenges communicating in a busy ward environment, especially around discharge planning.

The report contains five recommendations.

1. Improve communication with patients about plans for discharge.
2. Develop staff awareness of the Hospital Passport and ensure staff are using tools available to meet patients’ language needs.
3. Ensure people have space to eat, the correct cutlery and support in place to eat if needed, and ensure drinks are available and in reach of patients.
4. Ensure staff gain consent from individuals during procedures, maintain patient dignity and avoid loud conversations with patients in the ward where possible.
5. Check the cleanliness of bathrooms and consider changing the pull cords in bathrooms and toilets to plastic.