Environmental audits of the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove’s Annual Environmental Audit Report summarised 10 environmental audits carried out across Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust services between April 2017 and March 2018. Volunteers visited a wide range of wards, clinics, departments and hospital environments, including A&E, maternity, stroke wards, the Eye Hospital, paediatrics and sexual health services. Overall, the audits found that hospital environments were generally clean, safe and well organised, and that staff were consistently welcoming and supportive. The report also highlighted examples where previous Healthwatch recommendations had directly contributed to significant improvements in hospital environments. 

Many positive examples of practice were identified. Areas such as the Eye Hospital, Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, Digestive Diseases Centre and sexual health services were praised for their cleanliness, accessibility, signage, patient information, lighting and welcoming environments. Significant improvements were observed following previous Healthwatch visits, particularly within the Eye Hospital and the Claude Nicol and Lawson sexual health units, where refurbishment work, improved accessibility, upgraded facilities and better patient environments had been introduced. 

The report identified a number of recurring environmental issues across hospital sites. Common concerns included poor signage, limited patient information, furniture and equipment in need of replacement, maintenance delays, inadequate storage facilities, ventilation and lighting issues, inconsistent cleanliness and occasional security concerns relating to unlocked rooms containing medical supplies or cleaning products. Older areas of the hospital estate, particularly within the Barry Building, were more likely to attract concerns about décor, maintenance and the overall environment. 

Healthwatch concluded that its environmental audit programme was helping to drive visible improvements across local hospital services. Recommendations focused on improving patient information, adopting more consistent signage, encouraging greater use of hand hygiene facilities, replacing worn furniture and fittings, improving maintenance responsiveness, reviewing storage arrangements, enhancing ventilation and lighting, maintaining cleaning standards and strengthening security procedures. The report noted generally positive PLACE assessment scores and highlighted the value of continued partnership working between Healthwatch and the Trust to improve patient environments and experiences.