Patients will play a key role in a new accreditation programme rolling out across NHS Humber Health Partnership.
A commitment to excellence (ACE), which starts in March, will set high standards for patients receiving treatment at Castle Hill, Goole, Grimsby, Hull and Scunthorpe hospitals.
Patients will be asked directly about their experience as part of the scheme which will see wards and departments awarded ‘red’, ‘amber’ or ‘green’ ratings for the quality of care provided.
Areas will be reviewed against a set of key quality standards including infection prevention and control, nutrition and hydration and safeguarding.
As well as speaking to patients about their experience, the visits will see patients’ documentation reviewed, discussions with managers, observations of staff delivering care and evaluations of the environment.
Areas that excel and maintain a green ‘significant assurance’ rating over a two-year period (three consecutive visits) will be celebrated and recognised as achieving ‘full assurance’ status.
Amanda Stanford, Group Chief Nurse, said: “It’s absolutely right that patients are at the heart of this new assurance programme. The aim is to bring a new set of standards across our five hospitals, giving us continuous assurance that the quality of care our patients receive is in line with best practice. It will enable us to identify any areas of concern as well as celebrate areas of excellence. We’re asking our staff and patients to embrace these visits to ultimately help us to provide the very best care to our local population.”
ACE will provide ward-to-board assurance on the quality of care, demonstrate compliance with key standards and identify themes for improvement to support shared priorities and learning.