First figures on patient care published in transparency pilot project

Posted: 29/02/2012

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has announced the publication of its first monthly bulletin on patient safety.

The trust is one of a group of eight NHS trusts in the North West of England piloting the North West Transparency Project, a scheme to provide the public with up-to-date information on patient safety.

The pilot was launched yesterday in Leeds by the chief nurse for NHS North of England, Jane Cummings, who said that “through the North West Transparency Pilot nurses are reaching a new level of openness and honesty, and reaffirming their commitment to the communities they serve.”

Institutions administered by participating trusts are scored on the number of patient falls and the number of pressure ulcers suffered by patients within 72 hours of admission. Each fall and pressure sore is graded to show the severity from moderate to severe harm. The bulletin also shows what actions were taken to prevent falls and ulcers. Staff views on whether they would be happy for family and friends to be treated at the hospital where they work are included, along with patient experiences of care.

Jane Cummings said that “by recording and publishing that information, it means that we are very transparent and open about it…We are able to then look at the reasons why the patients may have fallen or developed a pressure ulcer and do something about it. Really importantly, we can tell the public what we’ve done and why we’ve done it.”

John Goodenough, deputy director of nursing for East Lancashire Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to be part of this project and working with other organisations to reduce harm to patients in our care by eliminating trips, slips and falls and pressure ulcers…every fall and pressure sore is one too many and our staff are working hard to eliminate the chances of harm."

If successful, the scheme may be rolled out across England.  

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