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Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
On 23 June 2011, five members of Professional Concern met the director of nursing and three associate directors of nursing from the Derby Royal Hospital (Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust). This provided us with the opportunity to provide our history and background to the associate directors who were unfamiliar with our organization.
The meeting was chaired by the director of nursing who outlined the areas of work where she thought Professional Concern could make the most valuable contribution, namely providing an input into the induction of health care assistants (HCAs). HCAs do not receive standard formal training although they do carry out many aspects of a patient's personal care. Members of Professional Concern have significant experience both in the practical day-to-day care of patients and dealing with their concerns and those of their families.
Working in
partnership
Members of Professional Concern, who are part of the medical assessment
unit patient experience group, have been asked to talk with newly appointed
HCAs during their induction. One session has already taken place. The
director of nursing and her team are interested in making this standard
across the Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which would require co-coordination
and a more formal agreement to be in place.
Whilst most Professional Concern members are already registered volunteers and are already working with the hospital, the director of nursing suggested that a more formal partnership agreement be established between the hospital and Professional Concern.
Other projects
During the meeting, other subjects were also discussed, including patient
hydration, the poor implementation of the hopital's discharge policy,
and the poor communication between the hospital and nursing and residential
homes.
The meeting also covered projects where Professional Concern might continue to assist, including the five senses audit and the aseptic non-touch technique.
More information about our work with the Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be made available as the project rolls out.