STAFF of West Essex Community Health Services – some based at Saffron Walden Community Hospital - have been given top marks when it comes to treating patients with respect and dignity.

STAFF of West Essex Community Health Services – some based at Saffron Walden Community Hospital - have been given top marks when it comes to treating patients with respect and dignity.

An audit was carried out at the Radwinter Road facility, as well as St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping, at the request of NHS West Essex.

Dignity champion for west Essex community hospitals Kay Ellis, one of the team which carried out the exercise, said: “I drop in unannounced to see patients, just to talk with them and their carers and see if they are happy with the way staff are treating them.

“The audit which assesses the fundamental standards of privacy and dignity for patients took a morning and afternoon to do. It helps staff to keep the record straight and ensures consistency in the service delivered.

“Happily the audit results confirm staff are doing a good job and it’s lovely to have good feedback from those who have been on the ward and their relatives.”

The audit supports the assessment of core standards for treating people with dignity in community, acute and mental health sectors and for services within a primary care setting.

It is based on recording observations in five key themes:

* environment

* privacy, dignity and modesty

* communication with patients

* promoting individual needs

* staff training

Clinical delivery manager and lead nurse Phil Wing said: “We are thrilled with the audit results and our staff will continue to work hard to ensure standards remain high.”

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