Patient Experience and Engagement
The Patient Experience and Engagement Team are here to listen to patients’ thoughts, feelings and ideas. We feedback on your experiences to the Hospital Staff and senior management, in order to improve patient care.
Get involved in shaping hospital services
Get in touch with the team if you would like to share feedback, or to get involved in one of our groups or projects.
Get in touch
- Call us on 01226 434925
- Email bhnftpatientexperience@nhs.net
Barnsley Hospital's Carers and Care Partners Charter
Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is keen to support people who would like to be involved in the care of their relative or friend during their time in hospital, who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.
We recognise that carers have a significant role in the effective and safe delivery of treatment and care of patients in hospital; this role will often cross the boundaries between the patient’s home and the hospital setting. It is important that we identify, involve and support carers in the clinical setting to get the care of the patient right.
With knowledge, understanding and honest communication, staff and carers can work in partnership as Care Partners to improve the hospital experience for patients, carers, and staff.
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support and as such will be welcomed to be with the patient at any time.
Who is a Care Partner?
A Care Partner is someone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support and as such will be welcomed to be with the patient at any time and continues to provide an agreed level of care in partnership with staff whilst their friend or family member is in hospital.
We recognise and value the support and expert knowledge that carers can give and also the positive impact that staff and carers working together can have on a patient’s well-being.
Our commitment to you
We will do our best to:
- recognise you as a carer and support you to identify the level of care you wish to provide
- recognise you as a carer and invite you to support the person you care for whilst in hospital as a Care Partner
- listen to and respect your views as a carer or Care Partner
- support you to access appointments for your own health care needs when required
- signpost you to appropriate support services for carers
- inform and involve you agreed aspects of care for the person you care for
Please help us by:
- speaking to staff if you would like to be involved as a Care Partner
- talking to us about any concerns you might have about the care and treatment being provided to the person you care for
- taking care of yourself; your involvement is valued but not expected
- tell us if there's anything else we can to do support you in your role as a carer or Care Partner
- respecting the privacy and dignity of other patients
- providing information that will help us to give the best experience of care to the person you care for, including any care passports
How to become a Care Partner
If you would like to be involved in your friend or family member’s care, please speak to one of the nurses on the ward who will be happy to talk to you about how you can be more involved.
Your friend or family member must give their consent (if they are able) for you to care for them in hospital.
Staff will discuss with you the following:
- What care do you usually give at home?
- Have you been trained in delivering any care?
- What do you feel you are or are not able to do?
- Whether the patient has any special equipment at home which may be brought in to support them during their stay.
- When you would be able to help – at mealtimes for instance
They will also explain to you:
- How much care you can safely be involved in.
- Any limits or restrictions because of your friend or family member’s current illness.
Each time you come to the ward or unit:
- Please report to the nurse caring for your relative or friend.
- Tell the staff when you are leaving and update them about your relative or friend’s condition
All Care Partner arrangements should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are beneficial to all involved. If for any reason you are not happy with the Care Partner arrangement, please speak to the person in charge on the ward to identify a resolution made in the best interest of the patient.
We thank Barnsley Carers Service and Beacon South Yorkshire Carer Support for their work, and support.
On-site care and support
Over 40% of carers recently surveyed told us they had missed at least one hospital appointment for their own healthcare needs, due to their caring responsibilities.
Our Patient Experience and Voluntary Services team have worked together with our Learning Disability and Dementia teams to ensure that on-site care and support can be provided to those who need it whilst their carer is attending an appointment at Barnsley Hospital.
For more information and support contact the Patient Experience team on: 01226 434922