CVV Launches Dignity in Care Scheme
26.01.11
Following a £5,000 grant awarded to us by the Welsh Assembly Government, CVV is to provide groundbreaking training of medical staff to better cater to the needs of blind and partially sighted people when they are in hospital.
One of the major innovations of the scheme being piloted at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, is its delivery by volunteers, who will act as our 'Champions' to provide this much needed service.
Carys Henry, Head of User Engagement who led the bid said: "The hospital environment presents very real challenges to blind and partially sighted patients which wider awareness amongst medical staff will help to overcome.
With the help of our volunteer champions, we aim to instill a sustained culture of increased disability awareness within the care profession, making this new scheme a valuable contribution to the nursing environment."
Challenges
In hospital, furniture and other objects such as water jugs may have to be moved during examinations; but these must then be put back in their original position for patients to know where they are.
It is vital for menus to be in accessible formats and for patients to know what and where their food is on the table in front of them to avoid meals being taken away uneaten.
Transfers to other wards can also be very distressing and unsettling as the patient yet again has to become familiar with another new environment.
On discharge information on follow through appointments and medication details need to be provided in accessible formats. The ability to independently access the toilets and other facilities is vital.
Carys Henry said: "Our volunteers will meet with, and ensure that each blind and partially sighted person admitted to the wards will be consulted as to their individual needs. We will work alongside the medical profession to ensure that the patient experience reflects their needs.
Our training package for the volunteer champions will be made available to all other societies in Wales as a main outcome of this project."