Shhh……. – We are listening

As we reach our first anniversary following NHS Lanarkshire’s launch on Patient Opinion, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all who have taken the time to post their comments.

Giving you a voice and trying to understand your experience of our service by telling your story, sharing your views and raising your issues and concerns, has allowed us to respond to, learn from and, where required, change and improve.

We also invite patients in each of our wards to tell us about their experience during their stay in hospital. One of the issues you raised was about the noise levels on the ward. A noisy environment can affect communication, create negative feelings and cause interruptions to care and treatment. We also recognise the importance of rest during your treatment and recuperation.

How has your feedback changed our practice?

We have introduced the Shhh … initiative onto some of our wards.

All our staff are committed to reducing noise, especially during rest periods and throughout the night by:

• Ensuring the correct equipment is available and in the places it will be needed in advance

• Reducing the movement of equipment at night

• Reducing unnecessary chatter in patient areas

• Responding quickly to beeping equipment

• Using equipment quietly wherever possible

• Making sure doors and bins are closed quietly

We are considering noise reduction when ordering new equipment, such as soft closing bins.

Posters have been placed around the ward as a reminder to keep noise to a minimum. There are also “You are now entering a quiet zone” posters at the ward entrance.

We have installed chatter trackers in the main corridors of the ward. These traffic light systems are a visual reminder that the level of noise is reaching, or exceeding an unacceptable level.

We have also asked your families and friends to help us reduce noise during visiting times by:

• Turning mobile phones onto vibrate or silent mode

• Considering their footwear. High heels or studded shoes can be noisy

• Thinking about the noise levels when chatting

• Not banging doors or bin lids

• Letting staff know if alarms/pumps are beeping

This initiative certainly seems to be making a difference and the wards are calmer and quieter as a result.

This is just one of many changes and improvements we are introducing to enhance our patients’ journey. I am very proud of the efforts of the staff and grateful for the support we have received from you the public.

If you have an experience of Monklands Hospital you would like to share please speak to a member of staff, respond on Patient Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk

Kind regards