Hospital receives positive report
THE Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) has today (January 18) published its report into an unannounced inspection visit to Belford Hospital in Fort William.
The positive report has highlighted a number of areas of good practice within the hospital and has been welcomed by NHS Highland.
Alison Hudson, lead nurse for North and West Highland, is delighted that the hard work put in by all staff across the hospital has been reflected in the report.
She said: ‘The inspection team found that the hospital was clean and well maintained, and staff were able to demonstrate their knowledge on a number of infection control precautions and procedures.
‘Communication between ourselves and our patients was commended, with patients telling the inspection team that they were well informed about their care and infection control precautions. There was also good engagement shown between different staff groups.’
Anne Boyd-Mackay, rural general hospital manager, also commended the hard work and commitment of all staff to achieve such a positive inspection report.
The inspection also resulted in one requirement and one recommendation. Work has already begun on the areas identified.
Ms Boyd-Mackay added: ‘ We have been trialling new documentation which will allow us to show evidence of communication with patients and relatives and we have looked at the authorisation process for ordering with a new method currently being tested.’
The recommendation is to use storage boxes purchased to hold patients’ toiletries. Prior to the purchase of these boxes, hospital services staff found it difficult to clean bed spaces due to the amount of belongings longerterm patients have with them in hospital.
Staff were keen not to deprive patients of having what they feel is important to them. The matter was raised with infection control, and an agreement was made to purchase plastic boxes with lids that are lightweight, easily cleaned and coloured red for patients with cognitive impairment or sight problems. These were purchased from Amazon.
The boxes are able to be decontaminated and are user friendly. They are cleaned weekly.