Enter and View - Ealing Hospital Acute Care Unit

Healthwatch Enter and Views are arranged to find out how health and social care services are being run, and make recommendations where there are areas for improvement.

Key Information

• The outside entrance is well signposted, with arrows giving straightforward, easy-to-follow directions.
• At both visits, all areas appeared to be clean, with clinically suitable floor and wall surfaces. Waste bins are commonly sited.
• Staff are largely considered by patients to be kind, helpful and attentive. During our visits we observed good personal interaction.
• The safeguarding policy is clearly displayed.
• PPE (Personal, Protective Equipment) including face masks and gloves are also readily available. During both visits, all staff were observed to be wearing face masks.

Key Recommendations

• We suggest that the departmental list, along with associated signage is periodically reviewed – at least annually, to ensure that all major departments are included, and that terminology and directions are up-to-date and accurate.

• If signage does exist, it is not clear or effective. We recommend that management and premises staff review the allocation and placing of exit signs in particular – perhaps patient’s groups, and/or a brief patient survey could help to identify misleading signage, or gaps in coverage.

• For the comfort and convenience of patients and others, we urge that water is made available, and is easy to obtain.