NUH finalists in national Patient Experience Awards
We are proud to say that four of our teams were recent finalists at the 2019 National Patient Experience Awards (PENNA), which took place virtually last week.
In 20 highly competitive categories showcasing the very best of NHS projects from across the country - all aiming to improve patient experience - two of our teams were crowned runners up.
A project called CPR Teachathon was awarded the runner up spot in the 'Engaging and championing the public ' category, whilst a project on Developing Digital Technology Solutions to Improve Care for Cancer Patients came second in the 'Innovative use of technology' category.
CPR Teachathon
This project aims to upskill members of the general public in life-saving CPR and resuscitation.
British Heart Foundation figures show that only 7-8% of people survive to discharge after suffering an out of hospital cardiac arrest. The Departnment of Health estimate more than 1000 lives could be saved each year if more people received bystander CPR, increasing the overall survival rates to 10-11%. Sadly, the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) often are unable to start resuscitation or resuscitation is not effective, as community CPR has not been started by passers by.
Colleagues from our Children's Emergency Department found these figures worrying, and so had the idea for a CPR Teachathon - essentially a health promotion event to teach the general public life saving skills for free.
To date 3 CPR Teachathon events across Nottinghamshire have taught life saving skills to almost 3,000 local people, raising thousands for charity in the process. The team are currently organising the fourth CPR Teachathon in Nottingham Market Square which promises to be bigger and better than before!
Developing Digital Technology Solutions to Improve Care for Cancer Patients
Colleagues from NUH Oncology and cancer related services have been developing digital solutions to improve the care our cancer patients receive. Against the backdrop of increasing demand for outpatient appointments, many patients report feeling worse after attending a hospital outpatient appointment due to the stresses associated with the journey to hospital. Perhaps not surprising given that 5% of all road traffic in England is NHS-related.
So, our Oncology team asked the question 'if patients designed ther ideal treatment arrangements, what would they look like?'. And, for many people, the answer is an online questionnaire or video consultation from the comfort of their own home.
Digital solutions offer a number of potential benefits including:
- Improved clinical outcomes for patients.
- Improved experience for patients.
- Removal of unnecessary face-to-face follow up appointments where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Giving patients more control over their secondary care, reducing impact on their time and pockets.
- Reducing risk to patients, including those who are immunocompromised by eliminating any unnecessary hospital attendances.
A pilot study using the DrDoctor platform in our Oncology service has gone down very well with patients. Of 119 patients who completed an online questionanire about their health, 113 did not require a face-to-face hospital follow up, saving them time, money and a potenitally stressful journey.
Other areas of our hospitals are now offering online video consultations through the DrDoctor platform. Find out more here.
The virtual PENNA awards were introduced by Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS England, and Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive at NHS England.
The Patient Experience Network (PEN) is a ‘not for profit’ membership based network. An independent organisation that welcomes all involved in delivering the patient experience – with a commitment to continuously improve. PEN provides a practical resource/service for all healthcare organisations wishing to improve the patient experience. A key emphasis of the network is learning from each other and sharing best practice.