Neath Port Talbot Hospital?s excellent record of providing quality care for the people and communities it serves has been recognised by the awarding of its third successive Charter Mark.
Independent assessors measured the hospital’s performance against six stringent criteria, including consultation and engagement with patients, partners and staff and contributing to improving opportunities and quality of life in the communities served. Strengths and areas of best practice identified include:
Demonstrating the provision of excellent and diverse working arrangements with other providers to improve access and services to customers: the Hospital?s involvement with the multi-agency publication Community Spirit and LEAP (Learning Education and Partnerships), a project for which Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust has recently received a prestigious national ?Excellence in Human Resource Management? Award, are cited as examples.
A ?smarter? approach to managing outpatient waiting lists which has resulted in a significant and sustained reduction in waiting times.
The pilot integrated care pathway for knee replacement which demonstrates how working together can improve outcome for users.
Reminding patients of forthcoming appointments by text or phone has contributed to reducing DNAs [Did Not Attends]: early results of this new project, that has been piloted across the Trust, show a 3% reduction in the DNA rate for patients taking part in the pilot and patients who may sometimes be given appointments 6 or 12 months ahead also appreciate the service.
A recycling of print and toner cartridge scheme, which is taking place throughout the Trust, is based on innovative partnership working and has the potential to generate income.
Summarising the Hospital?s strengths in his report, Charter Mark assessor Mike Smith, commented: “The Hospital still presents a new and ?sparkling? experience and is now fully accepted and appreciated as a valuable service for the people of Neath Port Talbot. Services are based on national standards but reflect local needs and priorities.?
Karl Murray, Neath Port Talbot Hospital’s General Manager, said: “We will continue to display the Charter Mark with pride. The standard which had to be achieved to get the award was exacting and covered all aspects of the service we provide here: customer focused staff have succeeded in providing excellent service in a first class patient environment.”