Healthwatch Havering – an independent group that represents residents’ views of health services in the borough – has published a report reviewing Queen’s Hospital’s frailty ward and same day emergency care (SDEC) for the elderly.
The report was published on December 1 after members visited to see how the wards were coping with the influx of elderly patients from the emergency department.
The report described the atmosphere in both wards as “pleasurable” and Healthwatch Havering team members claimed to have found the experience “enjoyable”.
No recommendations for further inspections were made as “everything that can be done to hasten the processes” was deemed to be in action.
The report said elderly people suffering falls or other complications are often referred straight to hospital by their GPs.
It detailed how physiotherapists on the ward assess the patients but, often, when they get home, they have another fall within days and have to be re-admitted.
Inspectors said: “As a result, bed availability can become challenging, resulting in the much-publicised waits in corridors for patients awaiting admission (which is far from ideal but unavoidable) and in ‘bed blocking’, with patients ready for discharge not being able to be, and other patients having to wait until it has been possible to arrange the discharge and vacate the bed.”
Both wards are designed primarily to look after patients who are at least 75.
The frailty ward has 30 beds and is usually staffed by 10 people, with a matron in charge. The SDEC Ward has 20 beds.
In addition to those in the wards, there are approximately 40 patients on the virtual ward scheme being treated in their own homes via the internet.
Toileting was found to be carried out “very regularly” to preserve the dignity of elderly patients and pads were changed as and when necessary.
Inspectors noted it “pleasing” that no patients on the ward, to date, were found to have bed sores.
As the team walked around the wards , they noted that there were observation charts above the beds, call buttons within reach, full water jugs and red jug lids in place for those needing extra care.
Hot drinks were served throughout the day and for those needing extra support with feeding problems, Complan is used to supplement the plated meals.
Inspectors also spoke to some relatives of patients present at the time of the visit.
One told them that their relative was once found without an identity wristband as the machine in the ED was broken but this was “rectified immediately” once the staff were informed.
Other families spoken to were reportedly “very happy” with the care, as were the patients they were with.
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) has been contacted for a comment.
