Placemats give patients taster of hospital services and information
Patients will now have essential information about the hospital at their fingertips thanks to new placemats.
The new initiative came about as a result of patient feedback, and the mats were produced in conjunction with them to make sure they included all the details they found helpful.
The placemats, which will be distributed to all wards across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, allow patients to keep easy-to-read details close to them including visiting times, mealtimes and preparing to go home.
They will also have relevant telephone numbers, details about infection control, how to give positive feedback, how to raise any concerns, and how to take part in the Friends and Family Test that will help improve services. It also has contact details for the chaplaincy team and Hospital Radio.
Sarah Haines, head of patient experience, said: “The placemat was produced with the help of our patients to ensure we included the information that was important to them and their families when in hospital. Patients will still be given this information by members of staff, but on a mat it means they always have it close to hand during their stay.”
The A3 wipe clean placemats were also made in collaboration with the infection control team, discharge team, chaplaincy, Patient Advice and Liaison Service, complaints team and carers. They were funded by Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity.
And they are already a big hit with one patient, Patricia Saterlay on Balmoral Ward in Southend Hospital. She said: “I think these are a lovely idea. They look nice and the mats are easy to understand for patients and relatives.”