Patients and visitors have a say on services at Barry Hospital (From Barry And District News)

Patients and visitors have a say on services at Barry Hospital

8:50am Friday 10th August 2012 in News

PATIENTS and visitors at Barry Hospital have given their experience of the facility a top rating – and their suggestions are helping the health board make further improvements.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board scored an 82 per cent "good" and "excellent" tally when it asked for feedback.

Divisional director for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care, Mark Smithies, said the health board was pleased with the results - but was also acting on suggestions for improvements.

"The overwhelming feeling was that people wanted to see the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) open for longer, and I am glad to say that has now started,” he said.

"We have also listened to how people view and use the hospital and will be relocating the main reception to be in front of the main entrance, improving signage for visitors, and looking at developing an information centre with our third sector partners."

MIU opening hours were reduced two years ago due to a shortage of appropriate staff, but as reported in the Barry & District News (July 5), have this month returned to full operating hours.

To ensure enough time for patients to be treated properly and to have access to X-ray and other support services, staff will see new patients up until 3.30pm, with the unit remaining open until 4.30pm.

MIU emergency nurse practitioner, Melanie Noble said: "Patients’ responses have been very positive with regards to the decision to return the MIU back to normal opening hours.

"Patients’ satisfaction of the MIU service has always been high and the public are very pleased with the standard of care provided.

"The whole MIU team are delighted that the unit is being further developed."

Barry Hospital will also pilot a new Phone First scheme helping patients to access the most appropriate care and direct them to either their local doctor or pharmacy, the MIU or GP out-of-hours service, or the emergency unit at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales.

The pilot will run for six months before being assessed, and more details on the project will be released in the coming weeks.

"We are very pleased to have resumed normal opening hours at the MIU in time for the summer period,” added Mr Smithies.

"We will continue to work with staff at the unit to review how that is going and to strengthen the services on offer at Barry Hospital.

"We have done a lot of work to talk to patients and staff about the services they want, and are continuing to look at how we make sure we deliver the most beneficial care in the hospital and the community."