Enter and view: Paediatrics Departments, Northampton General Hospital

Healthwatch West Northamptonshire undertook an enter and view visit to the Paediatrics Department of Northampton General Hospital.  They spoke to 15 people.

There were some great examples of child-friendly environments, with areas of the department that were full of colour that created a welcoming feeling, clearly designed with children in mind. While each of the areas had varying levels of décor and activities for patients, each department made efforts to make the spaces feel welcoming and provided activities for patients to stay engaged during their care.  However in some areas, Healthwatch felt that the hospital could do more. For example, they found that the A&E waiting rooms were clean and modern but lacked stimulating décor on the walls and additional resources/activities for long waits. They did offer a TV, but it was not showing age-inclusive content.

Healthwatch felt that the parameters to keep patients safe and secure were in place and facilities were fairly accessible. The majority of the children’s units throughout the departments all had security on the entrances, ensuring that patient safety remains during their time at the hospital, and this helped to maintain safeguarding standards. Healthwatch saw clear internal signage in many areas, including large-print bathroom signs, disabled facilities in the departments and refreshment stations supported accessibility. Healthwatch noted that some directional signage could be improved to guide patients to areas such as A&E and Outpatients, perhaps with a child-friendly design. 

Healthwatch felt that departments had some effective approaches in place to keep patients and their families informed and involved in their care, which included information that was accessible for patients and families visiting departments and ways for the patient voice to be heard.

Healthwatch celebrated the special efforts that were made that helped patients and their families feel cared for, included and supported in the patient journey, for example A&E offered specialised spaces which included an infant feeding room, a space patients could access if they felt overwhelmed or had sensory needs.

Healthwatch felt that the staff truly had a passion for the work that they do and this reflected in the standards within the departments. The staff within the Paediatric Departments are dedicated and passionate about their jobs and the care they provide to children and young people. The staff showed strong ownership over their environments and prioritised patient experience.  However, Healthwatch noted that A&E and inpatient wards could be short-staffed at times. 

The hospital passport system is a great resource for those patients with learning disabilities, and accessibility needs to be able to help providers understand their needs and adjustments. Information on this programme was not visible anywhere within the departments.