10,000 Voices report highlights success of phase one

Nursing
10,000 Voices report highlights success of phase one

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has published the first annual report of the 10,000 Voices initiative, highlighting its success to date. The report outlines the work undertaken through the programme since it went live in July 2013 and also summarises the findings and key actions emerging from phase one, which has focused on unscheduled care.

10,000 Voices aims to involve the public in shaping the way we deliver and commission health and social care services across Northern Ireland.

Pat Cullen, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professions at the PHA, said: “10,000 Voices is a unique initiative that offers patients, carers and their families an opportunity to tell us about their experiences and to highlight the things that are important to them, which will influence how care is delivered in Northern Ireland.”

To date, over 6,000 people have taken the time to tell us about their experiences and we have been working closely with patients, staff and carers to listen to what is important to patients which will then help identify ways in which we can improve their overall experience.

Pat continued: “Patient experience is key in driving forward innovation and improvement in health and social care. It is essential that we have the right processes in place which allow us to listen and learn from patients across all areas within health and social care.”

The 10,000 Voices initiative has been successful in putting in place a model through which to achieve this, which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented across all HSC Trusts, these include:

  • Improvements in communication, for example, the PHA launched the “Hello my name is campaign” to highlight the importance of introductions by healthcare staff and this has been endorsed regionally. Other examples include written information being given to patients who may be recalled after a suspected fracture and information displayed on waiting times.   
  • Improvements in Emergency Department waiting areas have included increased cleaning schedules, increased visibility of staff and refurbishment of waiting rooms.
  • Improvements in basic comfort needs of patients when accessing unscheduled care, for example review of pain relief, ensuring patients are warm and comfortable and the provision of meals, snacks and drinks.

“Phase one of the project started last September and focuses on patients who have used services after suddenly becoming unwell, such as Emergency Departments, Minor Injuries Units, GP out-of-hours and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

“Phase two began in February this year and focuses on the experience of patients and clients who receive care at home.

“We currently welcome feedback from anyone who has had contact with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service or anyone you know who has received care in their own home. Health and social care is of interest to everyone in Northern Ireland, therefore I would urge people to take a few minutes to complete this survey and help us improve our services.”

To view the report click here: http://bit.ly/1v93jY1

For more information and to see how your organisation can get involved, please visit the PHA website. The survey is also available to complete at www.10000morevoices.hscni.net.

 

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