Leicester’s Hospitals has won the ‘acute trust of the year’ award at the Patient Experience Network National Awards (PENNA).These national awards recognise best practice in patient experience.
This overall accolade is thanks to the combined quality of projects and work submitted from across the trust, including:
Engaging and Championing the Public award (WINNER) and Using Insight for Improvement – Other NHS Funded award (FINALIST)
Patients and their loved ones have been invited back to ICU on dedicated user days. The importance of continuing to support patients with rehabilitation after their ICU stay was recognised as well as listening to their feedback. Following this collaborative involvement there’s been improvements for patients and loved ones. For example patient diaries follow up clinics, ‘A day to remember’ and pets as therapy (PAT) visits have now been introduced.
Support for Caregivers, Friends and Family award (FINALIST)
A family, carers and friends charter has been developed following extensive community engagement. This charter is now used in two ways within Leicester’s Hospitals. Firstly outlining the support carers should expect and secondly offering guidance for staff on how to support carers.
Partnership Working to Improve the Experience award (WINNER)
The Prostate Cancer Remote Monitoring service provides patients with a safe guideline to monitor their prostate cancer. The service enables patients to be monitored remotely rather than attending the Urology and Oncology outpatients department. This greatly reduces the inconvenience for patients and reduces the travel costs.
Team of the Year (including PALs) award (FINALIST)
The HOPE - Help to Overcome Problems Effectively - course is delivered by 15 staff volunteers who have trained to become facilitators. The six week course has helped over 100 patients who are undergoing or have completed treatment for cancer. The aim is to help patients emotionally, psychologically and practically with the lasting effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
CPES award (WINNER)
Patients experience on an Oncology ward at Leicester’s hospitals has been improved thanks to the adaptation of a National Cancer Collaborative project. The local team visit patients and provide dedicated time to discuss worries and fears as well as ensuring there’s access to information booklets and resources. These ward rounds have led to prompt patient referrals to other services including benefits advice, hair loss and psychological support.
Personalisation of Care award (FINALIST)
The Forget Me Not Scheme at Leicester’s hospitals recognises, identifies and supports patients and carers living with dementia. The scheme has had success for patients admitted on to inpatient wards and has now also been adapted to meet the needs of people with dementia attending outpatient appointments.
Carolyn Fox, Chief Nurse at Leicester’s Hospitals said: “Being awarded acute trust of the year is exceptional and the ultimate way of being recognised. Our staff are going above and beyond to help enrich the care and experiences for people in our hospitals. Things are going in the right direction for us and it reinforces why we achieved our good rating earlier in the year.
"I am thankful to everyone involved for putting people at the heart of our services and care. I am always proud of our teams when they achieve this level of recognition but this year it feels even more special.”
The winners of the PENNA Awards have been announced in a series of online celebrations this week. Full details can be found online at: http://patientexperiencenetwork.org/awards/
Contact information:
Communications, Communications@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
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