Patient Experience of Community Nursing in Richmond upon Thames
Download (PDF 945.59 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Richmond upon Thames undertook research on community nursing as the local ICB was undertaking reprocurement of community health services. Healthwatch Richmond undertook a survey to which 279 people responded and shadowed community nurses on their rounds.
Overall, this is a very positive report. Patients said that community nurses treat them with kindness, compassion and respect; that community nurses understand patient’s vulnerability and take actions to connect with patients in order to build trust; and that they value the honest communication that the service provides.
Nonetheless, there are still areas where patients highlighted challenges around the following areas:
- Clear communication to patients on the timing of visits and what to do in an emergency
- A lack of training on what to do if patients have hearing impairments
- The hospital not knowing how to refer patients to the community nursing team
- The need to improve communication and referrals from GP practices
- End of life patient not getting the care and support they need
- Patients not getting the medication they needed