Enter and view: Ward 28 Frailty, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Healthwatch Shropshire undertook an announced/unannounced enter and view visit to Ward 28 Frailty at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 25 January 2023.  They wanted to see how the service was being delivered and to engage with patients and their visitors about their experiences of communication, nutrition and hydration whilst on Ward 28.  They spoke to 8 patients and 12 staff.

Key findings:

• Ward 28 is extremely busy.
• Patients are very positive about staff.
• Patients are positive about food and hydration.
• Patients were mainly wearing nightclothes and in bed at lunchtime. One visitor commented on a lack of physio.
• The ward leadership, team spirit and ethos was providing a positive, caring and professional patient experience.
• Staff feel under significant time pressure to keep up with workload and provide the care their patients need. This was the case even when, as in the case of this visit, the ward was fully staffed. Any reduction in staffing levels posed a considerable challenge.
• Patient discharge difficulties were hindering the Ward’s ability to accept new cases.
• The temperature in some areas was cool for those in nightwear.

The report contains four recommendations about staffing levels, discharge and supporting patients to get up and dressed.

The report includes a response from the provider outlining their proposed action to address the recommendations.