Press release – 6 September 2019
2019/036

Call for volunteers to inspect local hospitals food and cleanliness

Wye Valley NHS Trust is calling on members of the public who have had experience of their local hospital to carry out spot checks of hospital food, ward cleanliness, and the privacy and dignity of patients.

The unannounced inspections, called the Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) programme, are part of a government initiative to drive improvements to hospital environments.

Volunteers inspectors will focus on non-clinical issues and look at how the care environment supports patients’ needs.  The team will also be asked to provide feedback on food, cleanliness and general building maintenance at Hereford County Hospital, Ross, Leominster and Bromyard Community Hospitals.

Lucy Flanagan, director of nursing at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “It’s important that we get real feedback from people who have experience of our services who will inspect the care environment from a patient’s perspective. 

“Volunteer inspectors will be given guidance on their role and the purpose of the PLACE programme, and need to be available for the inspections taking place at each of our four hospital sites.  

“If you are interested in taking part and have experience of your local hospital, please call Jill Williams, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4pm, on 01432 277117 or 355444 extension 5133 or email jill.williams@wvt.nhs.uk by 20 September”.

Guidance from the NHS Commissioning Board stipulates that current hospital staff, and those who have worked for the hospital in the last two years, cannot become members of the inspection teams.

Representatives from local voluntary sector groups and Herefordshire Healthwatch are welcome to become volunteer inspectors along with members of the public.

The result of the team’s unannounced assessments will be published.

Ends

Notes to Editors WVT:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider of health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £185 million, we employ around 3,000 staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.

For further information please contact:

Fiona Gurney, communications officer, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928.