By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated at 12:22, Thursday, 06 September 2012

North Cumbria’s troubled hospitals now have a dedicated matron to focus on the views of patients.

Crea Simpson: Takes time to listen

Crea Simpson has been given the new role, which will see her walking the wards, speaking to patients and using their feedback to influence improvements.

The appointment aims to improve care at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, which have recently been the subject of widespread concerns.

The area’s four MPs recently called for a planned takeover of the debt-stricken trust that runs them to be fast-tracked due to concerns over safety.

However, bosses have continued to insist that patient care is their top priority.

The new matron is just one of a number of initiatives North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has launched recently to help improve care standards.

Crea has been trialling her new role – as Matron for Patient Experience – since March this year. In that time she has spoken to hundreds of patients at both hospitals.

She said: “Most patients really welcome having a matron who has time to listen and is simply dedicated to checking everything is okay. Many patients just want someone to chat to and often sing the praises of the nurses and staff looking after them.

“Sometimes a patient might have a gripe, such as a curtain which doesn’t quite close properly, which they don’t like to bother the nursing staff with as they know they are very busy. I can get problems like that fixed.”

Crea has introduced a number of simple changes to improve hospital stays for patients.

For example, she said: “A patient mentioned they kept being woken up in the middle of the night by a bin lid slamming. We have now fitted soft-close bins on every ward so patients will no longer be disturbed. It’s a really simple thing but it means patients who may have gone away with a negative experience of our hospitals will now have a much better time.”

Hazel Hardy, 69, of Workington, said Crea had been a great help during her stay at the Cumberland Infirmary.

As a sufferer of coeliac disease, she was unsure what she could eat from the hospital menu. “Crea explained to me what other choices were available. I think it’s a great idea – it’s good to see matrons back on the wards,” she said.

All the information Crea gathers is logged and then shared with staff.

First published at 11:26, Thursday, 06 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk