Listening to you
Thank you for telling us what you think!
We listen to your opinion and act upon it. Please see examples below where we have listened to your comments as part of our engagement:
You said: use ‘your health your conversation’ as a slogan with a ‘smiley face’ image
We did: we used these as the core of our personalised care campaign
You said: advertise GP Online Consultations more so that patients know about them
We did: we ran a marketing campaign and several online meetings to describe and advertise them
You said: Healthwatch raised several issues regarding the Covid response
We did: We held a ‘system wide’ workshop to provide a response to these important queries
You said: we aren’t aware that we are having cancer care reviews
We did: We are introducing a 6 month pilot across Herefordshire and Worcestershire (from April 2021) changing the process of Cancer Care Reviews in Primary Care. Patients will now receive full information about cancer care reviews and have the option to book this appointment themselves at a time that is convenient for them in the first 6 months following diagnosis.
You said: we understand and welcome the introduction of the HW ICWR though we have some concerns about data security
We did: designed our communications and marketing to help alleviate these concerns
Outpatients said: we are happy to try alternative methods of communication for our appointments
We did: we worked with partners to increase 'virtual' appointments, for example, over the telephone
Older People said: good housing is really key in maintaining our health and wellbeing
We did: a range of partners are involved in our Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) strategy
Herefordshire and Worcestershire residents said: we support the CCGs application to merge but are keen for you to keep a local focus
We did: we applied to NHS England & Improvement to formally merge the four CCGs. Our involvement plans are developing with a focus on local engagement
Carers said: we need education and support, particularly for careers of mental health patients
We did: we ensured carers are included in the draft Mental Health Strategy
Patient who are isolated and lonely said: there's a lack of services and support for younger people
We did: we designed the service specification for the new service (Reconnections) in response to feedback, including removing the age restriction
Breast Cancer patients said: give us support online through our treatment journey
We did: we created a Patient Portal using the framework designed by patients
Citizens of Worcestershire said: we would like to make lifestyle changes with 121 help
We did: we will commission Lifestyle Advisors to provide support to patients
We also listen to you through Patient Stories.
These give us an in-depth insight into a patient’s care and experience. These are presented at our Quality Performance Review Committee where a commissioner response is provided. Some examples are given below:
Following a diving accident in the late eighties I suffered a spinal cord injury and sustained an injury to my C5 vertebrae. As a result, I am now a full-time wheelchair user and reside in a purpose-built property and require care 24 hours a day. I need support with all aspects of my daily living activity, as well as management of the complications resulting from the injury and my own individual health needs. I wanted to have the flexibility to purchase my own care package from a care provider of my choice, that specialises in care and support for people with a spinal injury and I have a team of specialist Personal Assistants (PAs) who live in and provide care on a 24/7 basis. Having previously received a Personal Budget from the County Council to self-manage and pay for my care, I became eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare in 2016. I wanted to continue to manage my own care and was supported to receive a Direct Payment through a Personal Health Budget (PHB), delivered through NHS Continuing Healthcare. I was fully involved in the process for setting up a Direct Payment PHB and co-produced my own PHB Support Plan. The PHB has enabled me to be as independent as possible within my own home with the support of my specialist trained PAs. The independence I now have is very important to me and has enabled me to continue my social activities. My care providers are very focused on continuity of care and will always give any new carers specialist training and supervision, as well as an extended hand over period to ensure that they are fully conversant with my requirements. I manage all budgetary requirements for my care package, including taking an active part in the package of care and PHB reviews and providing a full set of accounts to the CCG to audit. Taking a PHB has enabled me (with support from my PAs) to interact and contribute socially by attending events and I’ve also been able to set personal outcomes, including being supported on occasional trips away from home, with the aim of improving and maintaining my emotional well-being and quality of life. On 14th December 2019 our 7-year-old daughter complained of tummy ache on the way home from a family outing. When we got home that afternoon, she was reluctant to eat and had started to look a little pale and clammy. We gave her some Calpol and put her on the sofa with a blanket to watch a movie. At bedtime she was not feeling any better and complained of more pain and of feeling sick. My husband felt her tummy where she said it hurt and she cried out in pain. At that point we called 111 who were friendly, efficient, evoked confidence and advised us to take our daughter to Worcester Royal Hospital (WRH) Accident and Emergency department which I proceeded to do, whilst my husband stayed at home with our other children. The check in process on arrival at A&E was smooth and a kind receptionist took our details and showed us to a children’s waiting area. Although our daughter was too unwell to play the child friendly atmosphere helped to make her feel more comfortable and shielded her from the sights of A&E which could be frightening for a child. A&E was extremely busy, and staff could be seen to be under pressure. As such, we did have to wait for about three hours. However, once we were seen by the doctor plans for my daughter’s care were put into place rather quickly. The doctor who examined her in A&E was wonderful! She was kind, very gentle and caring, especially when taking a blood sample. The Doctor explained to her in a way she could understand what she was doing, and then what she thought the problem was and how they would make her better. She answered all of my daughter’s questions with such patience and in a way that reassured her. Likewise, she answered all of mine as a parent and put me equally at ease! After tests and an X-ray my daughter was diagnosed as having an appendicitis, she was admitted under to the care of the paediatric surgical team to the children’s ward at WRH. My daughter was seen by the doctors promptly, who advised us that she would need surgery and that their team would be carrying out the operation. They reassured me that they would take good care of her and a lovely nurse stayed with me whilst they were explaining the next steps. After my daughter’s operation I was able to be with her in recovery and was there when she woke up, which as a parent was very important to me. The doctor came and told me that all went well with the operation and answered all my questions about recovery. I was able to stay with my daughter overnight and the following night before she was discharged, which again was so important as a parent. The nursing team did everything they could to make both of our stays as comfortable as possible. Information provided prior to discharge and wound care was detailed, helpful and more than sufficient. Overall, apart from the lengthy wait in A&E, we received exceptional care by all hospital staff!