Hospital Life October 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge ...

Looking tothe futurePraise forpedalpowerStaff have been working onupdating the organisation’svision, aims and values, as well asdeveloping some codes ofbehaviour.This is a time of great change for theNHS, and we are also workingtowards achieving Foundation Truststatus in three years, so it was asensible time to try and define theessence of BHRUT.Patient care and safety is at the heartof everything the Trust does, and ournew vision has been agreed as:striving for excellence in patientexperiences and outcomes.In line with that we have also drawnup our Codes of Behaviour for staffwhether they are dealing withcolleagues, patients, relatives orvisitors.These include:• Treat each other and patients asyou would like to be treated• Always ask how a person wants tobe addressed and always introduceyourself both in person and on thetelephone and explain what you aregoing to do• Always look presentable and tidyby adhering to the dress code andwearing your identity badge• Always be helpful if someone asksfor your help and, if you can’t be ofassistance, direct them to someonewho can• Maintain privacy andconfidentiality at all times and alwaysbe discreet and maintain yourprofessional attitude.These codes will help us to continueto ensure that patients receive thebest possible experience while theyare in our hospitals.The Trust has beenpresented with a specialcertificate by LondonMayor Boris Johnson.The presentation was to markthe Trust’s involvement in theCycle Solutions scheme – aiming to get employees to use pedal power to getinto work.Staff can cut the cost of buying a new bike, and there has also been a boostin mileage rates for business travel wherever staff can sensibly substitutedriving with cycling.Boris Johnson is pictured handing over the certificate to Health and WellbeingManager Sue Kennard.News in brief . . . . . . . . .Visiting hoursVisitors are really important inhelping patients recover andkeeping up their spirits.We know many play a vital role ascarers both in hospital and at home,helping their loved ones with meals,personal care and looking afterthem, as well as keeping themcompany.So do our visiting hours get thebalance right for both carers and forfriends and wider family?Do they allow patients to getenough rest and for the staff toperform all the care they need to dowithout interruption?Are the different times across ourhospitals confusing?We want to know what you thinkabout visiting hours so they work forall our patients, staff and visitors.You can emailconsultation@bhrhospitals.nhs.ukor write to: Visiting hoursconsultation, c/o Lesley Marsh,Assistant Director of Nursing,Queen’s Hospital.Beating bedsoresPressure ulcers (often known asbedsores) are a serious health riskfor patients as well as beinguncomfortable. Some patientswho have conditions like diabetesor are unable to move about areat particular risk.We have followed the ‘Your SkinMatters’ strategy, new checks onpatients’ skin, and action plans forevery patient at risk to protect theirskin and help them recover.The Trust has recently had anindependent review of its pressureulcer care. We are working moreclosely with nursing homes andcommunity nurses, and have seen arecent drop in the numbers ofpatients developing pressure ulcers.Help with parking costsCould you be entitled to freeparking at our hospitals?The Trust has always offeredconcessions to specific patients andvisitors, but now we have set thesedown in a new policy. Continued . .2 H O S P I TA L L I F E