Trust launches new patient safety initiative

A new patient safety initiative to help prevent the clinical deterioration of patients on wards, has been launched by Medway NHS Foundation Trust.

Call 4 Concern (C4C) enables inpatients staying at Medway Maritime Hospital, and their friends and family, to call a dedicated number 24/7 for immediate help and advice, directly from a member of the Trust’s Acute Response Team, if they still have ongoing concerns about their own, or their loved ones changing condition despite raising their concerns with the nurse in charge or doctor.

A member of the team will then visit the patient on the ward to discuss any concerns and assess the situation before liaising with the patient’s medical team and other healthcare professionals as needed, to discuss further treatment options. A note of the C4C intervention will then be logged in the patient’s notes summarising the concern raised and any actions taken.

Jayne Black, Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Patient safety is a high priority for the Trust. While our staff work extremely hard to provide the very best of care to our patients, we also recognise that at times the patient or a close friend or loved one can see that something is wrong before we can.

“While we already have robust systems and processes in place to detect when a patient’s condition worsens, Call 4 Concern is another layer of reassurance for our patients and their families and shows our commitment to providing safe, compassionate and joined up care.”

Patients, family and friends who have ongoing concerns about their own or their loved ones changing condition, despite raising their concerns with the nurse in charge or doctor, can call the Call 4 Concern phone number on 07799 348608.