In January 2024 Healthwatch Doncaster were invited to undertake an independent review of Ward 24 Gastroenterology at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
We feel privileged to be asked to undertake a review as the independent champion of local people’s voice. We are passionate about making sure local health and social care services are delivering good care and highlighting where improvements should be made, if required.
We decided the best approach would be to task our Authorised Representatives with an Enter and View visit to listen to patients’ experiences whilst on the ward and to observe the day-to-day delivery of patient care. From this visit we collated the data shared, developed a report and communicated with the hospital trust to gain a service provider response.
Local people told us:
The majority of patients (67%) were comfortable due to their pain being controlled well beyond admission to hospital. Others felt, however, that they waited too long for pain relief and pain relief was not managed well
A patient was discharged over 15 hours before the Enter & View took place and the patient was still waiting for their medication so they could leave
Family members/carers were bringing food in for patients when food wasn’t suitable for them
