NHS Trust asks people who use services
South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust, which provides specialist mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, is providing an extra opportunity for people who use services to give their views on the surroundings in which they receive care, and suggest ways in which it could be improved.
The Trust is committed to providing a first rate care environment for local people and aims to ensure that everyone who receives care feels that their care environment meets their individual needs and preferences.
In order to achieve this aim the Trust is using posters to ask people on wards and in day services questions such as ‘is the care environment easy and safe to access? Do you feel comfortable and welcome? And do you receive care in a tidy, clean and well maintained area?’ If anyone feels their care environment is not up to standard, they are invited to tell someone about it. The posters are on display across Trust services in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Practice effectiveness nurse Jane Spencer said, "In response to national guidance from the Department of Health, this is our way of making sure we’re getting the basics right and continuing to improve the experiences of the people who use our services. The best way to do this is by asking those people directly if they feel we are offering care in a setting that is of a high enough standard. If they feel the answer is no, we want to know what we can do to put that right. The Trust is dedicated to providing care that is tailor made to suit the needs of each individual, and involving individuals in making sure that happens is essential."
Director of human resources and workforce development, Alan Davis said, "Asking people who use Trust services for their views and involving them in decisions about the care they receive is something we are keen to do at every opportunity. This is a great way of giving people an extra opportunity to have their say to ensure the care we provide is delivered with every individual in mind. "