Enter and View Report: Adult Inpatient, Ward 1 Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Ward 1 is a specialised acute medical ward that primarily admits patients from A&E and the Acute Medical Unit. It has 39 beds, with three additional corridor beds which were in use during our visit. 

Ward 1 manages a broad range of medical, neurological, and endocrine cases, often involving young patients with complex care needs requiring one-to-one support, such as those coming from intensive care. The ward also manages patients with confusion and risk of falls, and some patients have challenging behaviours as a result of mental health conditions and substance dependencies. Many patients require specialist rehabilitation treatments. Delays in these services lead to longer stays on Ward 1. 

Observations of the ward suggest a strong and collaborative team dynamic, with staff demonstrating high levels of dedication and professionalism. The ward is clean, and well-organised. Staff interactions consistently reflected attentiveness and compassion, with numerous instances of proactive support for both patients and their families. Staff were widely praised by patients and families for their kindness and quality of care. Hospital food received generally positive feedback, with patients valuing the variety of meals offered and availability of snacks throughout the day.

Despite these strengths, several areas for improvement were identified. Communication regarding treatment plans and discharge processes were inconsistent, with some families expressing frustration over the lack of timely updates. One patient requested a female staff member for procedures, but her request was not met. Additionally, the lack of dedicated family spaces was raised, particularly for families of long-stay patients. Concerns were raised regarding the staffing ratio, with many patients/relatives and staff acknowledging that while staff were doing their best, the workload was overwhelming.