23 October 2011
Senior Trust Leader Wins Safety for Patients Award
Paul Reeves, Chief Nurse at Mid Essex Hospitals, has won a prestigious award for his work in supporting patient safety within the Trust.
The Safety Express Awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 12th October at the Park Plaza, Westminster in London.
Paul, who joined the Trust in April this year, was awarded the top prize in these awards which are supported by government ministers, the Department of Health and local Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs). Safety Express is seen as a ‘call to action’ for NHS staff who want to see a safer more reliable NHS with improved outcomes at significantly lower cost.
It is a safety improvement programme to increase the number of patients that receive ‘harm free care’ defined by the absence of not one, but all of the four harms, at the patient level. These levels are: nutrition, medication, hydration and equipment provision.
Paul explained:
“ It is a right for all patients coming to our hospital to expect the very best in care, this means ‘harm free care’.
We have a duty to them to provide an environment that is safe, clean and caring, and it is unacceptable for patients to suffer further problems as a result of inadequate care. ”
The award for Senior Leader, was made in recognition of Paul’s unparalleled support to his team in delivering Safety Express throughout the hospital.
The focus on ‘Safe Care, Safe Experience has produced excellent results for patients already, with pressure sore damage being reduced by 85% in 6 months, comfort rounds being introduced across the whole Trust, work in recognising the deteriorating patient and working closely with the NHS East of England SHA to devise falls e-learning packages.
Paul continued:
“ There is still much to do within the Trust, but we have taken big steps along the road in ensuring our patients are being cared for in a safe and compassionate environment. This award is accepted by me on behalf of all my nursing staff across Mid Essex, and may this be the first of many awarded to us for patient care and safety”
ENDS
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