Colleagues on Sir Robert Peel's Philip Ward mark one year of helping patients on their discharge journey
The team in Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital's Philip Ward is celebrating a year since welcoming its first patients, after undergoing a dramatic transformation from an unused ward area to a "loving, friendly" ward.
In the six weeks prior to the ward opening for the first time on 28 November 2022, a new team of colleagues was created, with many of them rolling up their sleeves to turn what was an unused ward space into a fully functioning 24-bedded ward ready to provide patient care.
The ward was originally opened to aid the flow of patients through our hospitals during the busy winter months as a 'discharge to assess' ward, providing patients with the final aspects of care they need, such as physiotherapy. This allows patients who do not require care in an acute hospital to continue to get the care they need in an appropriate setting closer to their homes, while making bed spaces available in an acute setting for those who need them.
Recap on the opening of Philip Ward in November 2022 >
In the 12 months since it opened, more than 350 patients have been cared for and discharged from the ward, equating to almost one patient every day for a calendar year being discharged from the ward to either go home or continue their recovery elsewhere.
Amy Reaney, Senior Sister on Philip Ward, expressed her pride at what the team has achieved so far, as well as praising them for their own continued development.
She said: "It has been a challenge to get to where we are now, but I am really proud of how far we've come as a unit. It is so nice to speak to the team and to hear how much they enjoy coming to work here, especially when you consider this ward wasn't even open this time last year.
"Not only this, the team itself is brand new and the way that they've come together to support each other and the desire everyone has to improve their skills to help us deliver continued improvements to patient outcomes and experience is a credit to them all."
The team itself is now fully established, with 22 Healthcare Assistants (HCAs), 11 Registered Nurses (RN) and Sisters, as well as four Newly Qualified Nurses (NQN), who all work alongside partners from Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT). MPFT colleagues are based on the ward to support the ongoing social care needs of patients once they are discharged - providing a great example of how organisations across the region are working closely together to make the best use of our skilled NHS workforce.
Jessica Knight works as Philip Ward's Discharge Ward Liaison after being seconded from her role of Modern Housekeeper at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield, praised how the team is continually encouraged to increase their knowledge and skills.
She said: "I've had the opportunity to do a lot of different training since moving here a year ago and it's been great for my personal development.
"I'm currently working on my NVQ in healthcare as I am wanting to progress in my career and the team here has been very supportive. Philip Ward has given me much scope for development."
Shanika Nadunge, who moved over from Medical Day Case at Queen's Hospital Burton after finding out about the ward, echoed Jess' thoughts and said the team has been very supportive of her personal development - creating a warm atmosphere for both staff and patients.
She said: "This is my first experience of being on an inpatient ward so when I arrived, everything was quite new to me, but everyone's been so nurturing and hasn't put any pressure on me at all. Not only that, but the patients love it here and I think this caring atmosphere helps to make that the case."
It is not just colleagues from within the Trust who have seen their skillsets grow on Philip Ward, as JJ Tacardon, an Internationally Educated Nurse originally from the Philippines explained.
Since arriving in the UK earlier this year, JJ says the team in Tamworth has made him feel settled and welcomed after making the near 7,000 mile trip to pursue his career in the NHS:
"In the beginning, it was quite difficult for me personally as lots of my cohort were based in either Derby or Burton. However, everyone here has made me so welcome and now I feel really settled and happy here.
"Nursing in the Philippines is based more around an American model of healthcare so this was like a 360 degree change for me. It's very hands on with the patients, which I love, and I'm enjoying continuing to grow and learn new things."
The widespread development on the ward has also meant that a broader range of care is now available to patients, with Phillip Ward now being an accredited end of life care ward, as well as being highlighted as showing areas of best practice for preventing falls for patients.
Senior Sister Amy continued: "We've had lots of visits and praise from colleagues both inside and outside the Trust which is always lovely to hear, and everyone has been so supportive of both the ward and each individual in the team, giving us the opportunities to continue developing.
"I am also part of the falls working group and to be in a position where we're sharing best practice with other wards despite only having been in existence for a year shows the level of care and dedication of everyone on Philip Ward.
"This is reflected in the feedback we receive from patients and their families, which just makes us so proud. Looking ahead we strive for national recognition for a discharge to assess ward, to be patient focused and to continue to work across all disciplines. We plan to continue to deliver safe and effective care and continue to support patient flow."