Patient Panel at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow (PAH)

News from Princess Alexandra Hospital

Dear Friends,

We are writing to you on behalf of the Patient Panel of Princess Alexandra Hospital as we are seeking your assistance with an important forthcoming task.

Prior to the pandemic our group had led the Patient Lead Assessment of the Clinical Environment (PLACE) at the hospital for several consecutive years. During the pandemic and its terrible consequences for hospitals, such inspections were suspended.

We are very pleased to say these have now been reinstated and will occur later this year. We have an excellent relationship with the Estates Team at the hospital and are usually supported by clinicians and other members of staff. However, it is vital that the majority of the attendees are ordinary members of the public looking at the said environment with the eyes of a typical patient. We are probably the only hospital assessment group nationally which is driven by patients without any clinical /clerical intervention.

This is a unique opportunity for members of the public to observe the hospital as it carries out its daily activities caring for the sick. As an "assessor" you will be expected to scrutinise the hospital environment and decide whether it would meet your expectations as a patient.

Such questions as:

• "Is the ward clean?"
• "Are the staff polite and welcoming?"
• " Are areas of the hospital fit for purpose?"
• "Is the food nourishing and well presented?"

will be posed and rigorously assessed.

There are two preliminary sessions involved before the actual assessments occur which may be over two mornings. At this stage we are not allowed to confirm a date but you will be given a "window "of dates nearer the time. Such confidentiality is required to ensure no artificial preparation or cleaning up takes place. There is a short training session at Kao House, Harlow and a trial run assessing limited areas at the hospital.

We would be delighted if you were able to join us as we need the widest spectrum of assessors as possible. You would have the satisfaction of knowing you are making an important contribution to your local community, as any shortcomings noted must be addressed by the hospital to improve the patient experience.

If you are interested, please contact us at: ann.nutt@nhs.net
or call 07932 524505 or 07790 222769.

Very best wishes

Ann Nutt — Chair
Diane Deane-Bowers — Vice-Chair