A number of Patient Safety Conversation visits have taken place across the organisation over the last few months to give members of the Executive Leadership Team and Board members an opportunity to discuss local challenges, changes and improvements with local staff. Details of some of the recent new and return visits are listed below.
The Ward 1 team in the Mental Health Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital were keen to share the quality improvement work being undertaken in collaboration with mental health occupational therapists, patients and staff to enhance the experience of local patients.
The introduction of a range of new activities for patients has had a hugely positive effect on patients and staff alike and the clear focus on wellbeing came across strongly from touring the department and conversations with local patients and staff.
Staff from the multidisciplinary ophthalmology service shared details of how they work well together and support each other to provide a holistic approach to safe patient care. Whilst the service is still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team continues to demonstrate a dynamic and flexible approach to ensure patients have access to specialist ophthalmology knowledge and advice, care and treatments, 24 hours a day.
The Oncology Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital also welcomed Andrew Murray (Medical Director), Martin Fairbairn (Non-Executive Board Member) and Lynda Bennie (Head of Clinical Governance) to the Unit as part of the Patient Safety Conversation programme. With an ever growing demand for their service, the Unit is busier than ever. However, despite the demand, staff and volunteers continue do their very best to provide a relaxed and welcoming environment for local patients.
The clinical team outlined some of the many advances in oncology care in recent years and the positive impact this has had on patients. They were also keen to highlight the success of ongoing research trails involving Forth Valley patients, and the focus on staff education to ensure a holistic and expert approach to patient centred safe care.
The Blood Transfusion Service welcomed Scott Urquart (Director of Finance), Robert Clark (Employee Director) and Lynda Bennie (Head of Clinical Governance) to their department to discuss some of the work underway to improve local services as well as highlighting the work of local staff.
The leadership team enjoyed an informative tour of the department and meeting members of Blood transfusion team. The clinical team provided information about ongoing improvement work and their long-term vision for the future of the service, including the purchase of two new analysis machines.
Thanks to the clinical team for taking the time to give the visiting team an insight into your service, and we look forward to meeting again in 6 months to see how your ideas have progressed.
The visiting team are grateful to everyone involved in organising the visit and providing an insight into local services. They are also looking forward to returning in 6 months to see how this important work is progressing.
Return Visits
Pharmacy
The Pharmacy Team welcomed Robert Clark (Employee Director) and Lynda Bennie (Head of Clinical Governance) for a return visit which provided the opportunity to meet with staff and follow up on the actions from the initial visit. The visiting team heard about a number of initiatives underway to support staff wellbeing as well as work to replace the current pharmacy robotic system at Forth Valley Royal Hospital along with work to replace HEPA filters and negative pressure cabinets in the aseptic area. Robert Clark commended the staff on their team working and commitment to improving the working environment.
Clinical Chemistry
Gillian Lowe Department Manager for Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, welcomed the visiting team along with Lynda Bennie (Head of Clinical Governance) on a return visit to Clinical Chemistry earlier this year where local staff highlighted the work underway to ensure the relevant information and documentation is in place to support UKAS accreditation.
