Link: ic Newcastle
They swept all before them – and now the hospital matron is making a comeback to clean up our wards.
Newcastle Hospitals’ Trust, who reintroduced matrons two years ago, have been reviewing cleaning and care practices in its hospitals.
And the back to basics approach seems to be working as Newcastle General, the Freeman and the RVI were all rated excellent in Government cleanliness league tables published yesterday.
Matrons at the Trust have been working with nursing staff to look at how patients are cared for and how they can improve their stay in hospital.
Initiatives have been introduced like colour-coded food trays to help nurses identify patients who need help with eating and designing a do not disturb sticker for cubicle curtains.
Hygiene has also been a major focus and there are measures to make sure all patients are given a hand wipe before meals.
Leading the Essence of Care review, Matron Eveline Marshall, said: "We’re going back to basics with simple, common sense measures, the sort of thing you’d like if you were in hospital.
