Hospital Patient Environment External Assessment Report 2011

The HPE external assessment encompasses all acute hospitals in Wales and a selection of community sites. Issues noted by CHC assessment teams are fed back to Health Board management; CHCs then work with the Health Boards and conduct follow-up visits to ensure that issues are addressed in a timely manner.

The main points noted this year include:

• Security staff provision or instructions on how to contact staff are often lacking in external areas
• Smoking on hospital grounds continues to cause cleanliness issues.
• Signage is often poor and the display of ‘you-are-here’ maps is inconsistent. This is coupled with the fact that a large number of locations lack high visibility/colour contrast décor.
• Accessible toilets with unisex provision of baby-changing facilities are often lacking in several locations throughout hospitals. Areas with available Changing Places facilities are also in the minority.
• Communication support, i.e. the availability of hearing induction loops, is not apparent at all reception areas. Where it exists, not all staff are trained in its use.
• Protected mealtime policies are in operation in the vast majority of wards across Wales. However, some instances of clinical activity taking place during mealtimes were observed by CHC members. Adherence to the policy should be universal; where relatives wish to assist patients at mealtimes, this should be encouraged.
• NHS staff should be commended for their attitude towards patients, in particular their approach to privacy and dignity issues, which was praised by CHC assessment teams.