Enter and view: The Royal Oldham Hospital Maternity Post Natal Ward
Download (PDF 1.7 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Oldham and Healthwatch Rochdale undertook an enter and view visit to the Royal Oldham Hospital Maternity Post Natal Ward on 30 August 2023. They spoke to 13 patients and 10 members of staff.
The ward was clean and tidy. The environment was safe with a buzzer system to let people in and out. Staff wore identity name badges. There was a new discharge lounge with a dedicated midwife. The ward was equipped with face masks and hand sanitisation was readily available. Patients commented they felt safe on the ward. Patients felt that their dietary needs were well catered for.
However, the ward was noisy at nighttime (extended visiting, visitor and patient devices). Information was only available in English (posters, displays, leaflets). It wasn’t easy to locate fire exits. There were ongoing issues about staff recruitment and retention. Some patients were waiting a number of days to go home. Staff morale was poor, there were insufficient staff and there was little time allowed to participate in in training opportunities.
The report includes recommendations about providing information in languages other than English, the timing of making birth plans, noise levels on the ward, clearer signage, and improved staffing. The report includes a response from the provider.