Written Question · S4W-23466 · Session 4
What its response is to concerns that the single room design of the new South Glasgow University Hospital may have a detrimental impact on …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that the single room design of the new South Glasgow University Hospital may have a detrimental impact on patient safety at night.
The answer
Single room accommodation provides a quiet, healing environment for patients. Results from the Better Together patient experience survey have shown that in the current ward areas (multi-bedded rooms) patients are often disturbed at night by noises staff make, noises from equipment, noises in the environment and noises other patients make.
In the design phase work was undertaken with patient groups, carers etc. to determine how the design could be influenced and adapted to meet their aspirations, and their feedback was used by the design team. The design of the wards in the new South Glasgow University Hospital maximises observation and recent mock-up ward sessions have provided nurses with reassurance about the layout.
Concerns about single room provision were raised in 2013 by GPs and were fully addressed by highlighting that the design of wards promotes good patient observation, and conversely ensures that patients can see staff. Users undertook benchmarking site visits across the UK, including the Department of Health single room pilot and the Bevan Ward at Hillingdon.
As a direct result, the wards at the New South Glasgow University Hospital have been designed with interlocking ensuites which allows large vision panels into the ward corridor, allowing nursing and other staff good visibility of the patient, and the patient good sight of staff. There are also vision panels in each of the bedroom doors further enhancing visibility.
Intentional rounding, as part of our nursing model of care, is a structured process where nurses on the ward carry out regular checks with individual patients throughout the 24 hour period. The more unwell the patient the more frequent these checks occur. During these intentional rounding checks nursing staff carry out scheduled care or simply observe their patients. What is critical to this approach to care is that it brings with it the confidence of staff and patients alike.
Further the model of nursing care used is also supported by a number of staff ‘touchdown’ spaces throughout the ward. This means instead of returning to a central staff base for administration/handovers staff will use a local touchdown space as their support, thereby remaining closer to the patient.
There are numerous studies that document that single rooms reduce noise, improve lighting, provide better ventilation, better ergonomic designs and improved layout which can help reduce errors, reduce stress, improve sleep, reduce pain and improve other outcomes.
In the design phase work was undertaken with patient groups, carers etc. to determine how the design could be influenced and adapted to meet their aspirations, and their feedback was used by the design team. The design of the wards in the new South Glasgow University Hospital maximises observation and recent mock-up ward sessions have provided nurses with reassurance about the layout.
Concerns about single room provision were raised in 2013 by GPs and were fully addressed by highlighting that the design of wards promotes good patient observation, and conversely ensures that patients can see staff. Users undertook benchmarking site visits across the UK, including the Department of Health single room pilot and the Bevan Ward at Hillingdon.
As a direct result, the wards at the New South Glasgow University Hospital have been designed with interlocking ensuites which allows large vision panels into the ward corridor, allowing nursing and other staff good visibility of the patient, and the patient good sight of staff. There are also vision panels in each of the bedroom doors further enhancing visibility.
Intentional rounding, as part of our nursing model of care, is a structured process where nurses on the ward carry out regular checks with individual patients throughout the 24 hour period. The more unwell the patient the more frequent these checks occur. During these intentional rounding checks nursing staff carry out scheduled care or simply observe their patients. What is critical to this approach to care is that it brings with it the confidence of staff and patients alike.
Further the model of nursing care used is also supported by a number of staff ‘touchdown’ spaces throughout the ward. This means instead of returning to a central staff base for administration/handovers staff will use a local touchdown space as their support, thereby remaining closer to the patient.
There are numerous studies that document that single rooms reduce noise, improve lighting, provide better ventilation, better ergonomic designs and improved layout which can help reduce errors, reduce stress, improve sleep, reduce pain and improve other outcomes.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-23466 by reference.