Examples

ICD support group in a thoracic unit

A support group for patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) has been set up. All patients with ICDs were invited. The staff want the group to be patient-led: members of medical, nursing and technical staff from the Heart attend and facilitate, but the agenda, the activities and the frequency of meetings is up to the group. It is intended that the group should be a forum for discussion and sharing of experience which will be useful to everyone with an ICD.

At the inaugural meeting, the group decided to produce a newsletter for patients with ICDs and for professionals who need information about ICDs. A patient member of the group who is a professional writer will edit it. The newsletter will have a correspondence column so patients can share their experiences.

Angiography patients share experience

After their angiography, patients spend the afternoon on the short stay ward. In future they will be invited to join a group of patients to discuss how they can make changes in their lifestyle to reduce the progression of their heart disease. Staff hope that sharing experiences and ideas with other patients will encourage more understanding and change than a handout or a talk from a health professional.

Mural in an imaging department

Staff in an imaging department developed a mural specifically aimed at children and put along the wall at child's eye level, informing them of their journey from the A&E waiting area to the x-ray room. A local artist, who specialises in children's artwork, has been approached to work on the project. The artist's wife is an ex-patient at the hospital and he is keen to show appreciation for his wife's treatment.

Back to: Level one criteria

Top of page