dignity in out patient departments

Hi Monica, I actually work in OPD for Mental Health also the Memory clinic which of course deals with the elderly. I always treat the patients I hope with dignity. I speak to them as I would speak to anyone else especially as they are someone else's mum or dad. Just because they have problems doesn't mean they should be treated any other way. Also by treating them the way I do it is how I would have wanted my parents treated. I will however endeavour to try and get a Professionals approach to your question.

Hi Sandra,

Really good to read about your approach - I just hope that everyone's attitude is the same as yours.
I also think that your approach is really how it should be and that why should a professional approach be more valued than yours.
We should all have the same approach to any person using the NHS or any other care service. They can possibly be at their most vulnerable at this time and we, the providers, should be at our most respectful and compassionate. Your view sums this up perfectly and it does not need another 'professional' opinion - yours is most valued.

I attach a link to a webpage where I discuss the language that we should use when talking 'about' older people. Hope that it is useful to you.
It might not come out as a hyperlink so just cut and paste. The article I mention is not that easy to find as it was in a journal that no longer exists - but I have a photocopy of it if you want me to send it to you.

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/Forums.cfm?orgid=439&fmid=150&type=3&quote=1&sort=subject

Kindest regards and many thanks for your positive approach.

Lorraine
A Diginified Revolution

I would like to ask about something that has affected me in our outpatient dept.

I am a Radiographer and work throughout the hospital in both in-patients and out-patients departments. My concerns are regarding patient waiting times for transport following their visit to the OP dept.

Today I was reduced to tears and not for the first time whilst trying to speed up the collection of yet another elderly "frequent flier".

The transport company is a private company, paid per patient and so we have no control over speeding pick-up times...or do we?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how as a trust we can implement a way of improving the experience for patients? I would like to suggest a financial penalty for each patient left over an hour by the hospital transport company. Is this feasible and does anyone have any other ideas?

I am attending a Dignity meeting tomorrow and will be raising this issue. I just would like to know what other trusts and outpatient depts have done to tackle this problem. It is something which seems to have been accepted by staff for a long time. Transport just takes ages to arrive. I think now is a climate of change and we should defend these patients who are often frail, and very poorly.

By "frequent fliers" I mean patients undergoing regular treatment such as Dialysis or Radiotherapy. It is totally unacceptable for them to be hanging around for hours waiting to get home especially when they are visiting 2 or 3 times a week in some cases. What can be done? Patient transport has always been an issue but I do not want to stand helpless in front of another patient begging to go home and asking for me to call a taxi which won't take them for health and safety reasons.

It seems like a daunting challenge to change this system. Can anyone give me any suggetions?

Trees

I've replied to your other thread already on this issue. I feel for you that you are reduced to tears.

I don't know how much infuence you have, or anything about the layout of your department or available space or funds. But if this problem is so so bad, then think about having a day room in your department. Perhaps a couple of couches. Or make formal complaints about the transport.

If its a locally agreed contract, then they can easily be sacked off and a replacement found. These things are top down, and if you work for a foundation trust then you're going to have a board of govenors which should include service users. Get these people to see what's happening,

Good management are the facilitators of good care - because that is the trade we're in.