Improving the older person’s journey through A&E

1. Attending any Accident and Emergency Department can often be a stressful, scary, confusing experience. Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises and is responding to this. From… Improving the older person’s journey through A&E The Older Persons Champions Network is committed to improving the experiences of older people within the emergency setting by embracing the Department of Health’s dignity and respect challenges. The network have pledged to review 100% of the services delivered to older people within the Accident and Emergency Department to ensure we provide optimum care. The Older Persons Champion Network are committed in ensuring processes are both effective and timely as well as meeting the needs of older patients. To this… • How will we achieve our objective? • Older Person Champions within the Accident and Emergency Department have pledged to roll out awareness raising sessions to all staff within the Department to highlight effective strategies that can be used to promote patient dignity. • Work is underway to “Fast-Track” elderly patients through the department wherever possible. • A Discharge Checklist specifically for the older person has been written, to ensure elderly patients are discharged home in a safe and effective manner. • The Trust’s Dignity Charter will be clearly exhibited throughout the Accident and Emergency Department. • A Patient Questionnaire will be piloted within the department to measure patient satisfaction and to address any areas of concern by building robust action plans. • A range of patient information leaflets have been produced to explain medical conditions and procedures in a straight forward manner. Contributors - June Wolstenholme, Carol Walsh, Lorraine Harris , Lynsey Low and Colin Hont - October 2007