Enter and view: Royal Derby Hospital PLACE assessment

Healthwatch Derby carried out a PLACEAssessment (Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment) at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and visited the front entrance, Accident and Emergency, the Medical Assessment Unit and Ward 306. Healthwatch Derby contacted the Trust Contracts Monitoring Officer to arrange for the Enter and View Authorised Representatives to take part.

During the visit the visiting team noted that trends were emerging around: signage, at the main entrance there was no sign directing patients/visitors to A&E; power saving lighting was used on the internal route to A&E which could possibly pose a problem for the sight impaired; cleanliness of toilet brushes and holders in cubicles in A&E; the water pressure in the female toilets in A&E.

There were some instances of best practice noted in the report such as: volunteer greeters were visible, friendly and helpful at the main entrance; there was visible anti-smoking signage outside A&E in line with the Trusts drive to deter people from smoking on the hospital grounds and; a trial in the Medical Assessment Unit provided each patient had a clock on their wall showing the time nursing staff were next due to see them in an effort to reduce patients using the call bells.

The report made four recommendations:

• A&E Majors, A&E Minors, the Medical Assessment Unit and Ward 306 should

consider applying for Derby City’s Bronze Dignity Award.

• Signage at Main Reception should include directions to A&E for family arriving

at hospital.

• All equipment in the hospital should be free from dirt in an effort to improve

infection control.

• Water pressure should be monitored to ensure that facilities are available for

patients/visitors and staff to wash their hands.

No response from the provider was included in the report.