Patient packs now available at Derriford Hospital
Patient packs developed by nursing and procurement staff at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust are now available.
The patient packs, which are filled with essential toiletries, are available on all wards and departments and will be given to patients who do not have suitable provisions with them when they come into hospital. Anti-slip slippers are also be available for those patients who need them.
Last year, a small working group was set up to look at the hospital’s consumables products, following feedback from ward staff. The group, consisting of nursing staff and members from our procurement team have developed the patient packs, which all contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shower gel, shampoo, comb and hairbrush. A shaver and shave cream will also be included in some of the packs.
Sue Johnson, Head of Nursing for Surgery, said: “For some of our patients there’s no time for them to bring suitable provisions into hospital so we like to ensure that we have products available within our wards and departments to give to them.
“We formed our group following feedback from some of our ward sisters that some of the products we had did not work well, were felt to be of poor quality and poor value for money and ultimately, they were not meeting our patients’ needs.
“Staff on the wards felt particularly strongly about the toiletries we were providing for our patients. The razors available were not sharp enough to give a comfortable shave, our shaving foam did not appear to foam and we only had large tubes of toothpaste and this was very wasteful.
“With the support of our procurement team, we sourced and trialled products of a much better quality and put them together in pink and blue welcome packs. The packs are a great way to ensure that, for those patients who need them, everything they need is in one place and they can be stored for the patient neatly and cleanly within their locker.
“In addition to the toiletries, the group also looked at the disposable patient slippers supplied within the hospital. The previous product available was made of foam that often didn’t fit, easily split and had the potential to contribute to patient falls. The new slipper socks we are introducing are comfortable, have anti slip bottoms and whilst improving safety have the added bonus of keeping our patients feet warm.
“We hope that these changes will improve the experience for our patients and offer a financial benefit for the Trust.”
The packs will also be available to purchase from the vending machines on each level of the hospital.
