Enter and View: Adult Inpatient, Ward 14 Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Healthwatch Greenwich undertook an unannounced enter and view visit to Ward 14 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in July 2025.  They spoke to 18 people.

Ward 14 is a 39-bed unit operating with three additional corridor beds. Many of their patients are frail or have complex neurological and cognitive conditions, including delirium and dementia. Patients often require coordinated care from specialist teams such as neurology and neurorehabilitation. The ward primarily admits patients from Ward 2 or other hospital units, including the Emergency Department (ED). 

Patients and families frequently described respectful, compassionate care from staff. Communication was often highlighted as a strength, with patients saying they felt well-informed about their treatment and supported emotionally. Staff were observed engaging warmly with patients and providing help in a kind and timely manner. Patients described the ward environment as clean and comfortable. Staff reported a strong culture of teamwork, mutual respect, and support for one another, even when working under pressure. They expressed confidence in ward leadership and appreciated access to training and development opportunities. 

Despite these strengths, several challenges were identified. Communication with families was not always consistent, particularly during care transitions. One patient described difficulty raising concerns and was fearful of doing so. 

Operational pressures, particularly around discharge coordination, equipment availability, and corridor care, were also evident. Staff described delays in accessing essential equipment, the absence of a medication tracking system, and difficulties coordinating with external services such as social care or equipment providers. The use of corridor beds, while understood as a response to capacity pressures, was viewed by staff as compromising privacy, dignity, and care quality. Staff consistently reported doing their best in difficult circumstances but expressed discomfort at the conditions under which some care had to be delivered.