Watford General's turnaround from the bottom of A&E wait rankings to eliminating corridor care was recognised during a visit from the health secretary.
The government minister, James Murray, commended "amazing" staff after meeting teams at the Vicarage Road hospital yesterday (July 9).
He made a particular point of speaking to nurses in the emergency department, listening to their first-hand stories of how West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust put a stop to corridor care.
Just over three years ago, the trust had ranked near the bottom of NHS league tables for A&E waiting times – with patients routinely cared for in crowded public corridors due to a lack of beds on the wards.
However, it has been free of the practice for six months following the introduction of a new approach based on data, teamwork with local partners, and a change in culture.
The trust now consistently features among the top 10 in England.
During his visit, health secretary James Murray said: "I've been here today at Watford General Hospital and seen the amazing work people have been doing here, including eliminating corridor care.
“I know that people right across West Herts have been working flat out, particularly during the recent months when we've had heat waves and as the demand on services has gone up.
“I want to say thank you for everything the staff do to keep the NHS here in such a good state, providing the care and support for people that need it.”
Mr Murray saw how the trust’s control centre uses real-time data on bed spaces to help clinical teams make faster, better decisions in an approach influenced by air traffic control systems used at Heathrow Airport.
Chief nurse Kelly McGovern added: “The change started with a simple commitment: that we wouldn’t accept corridor care.
“And that we would treat each patient like they were our own mother, father, son, or daughter. Changing culture and mindset doesn’t happen fast. It takes time.
Read more
'Our jolly princess is back': family celebrate end of girl's cancer treatment
Company agrees 16-year lease to create 'state-of-the-art' Watford lab
Minister and Watford MP shown latest on hospital rebuild during tour
“We’re very proud to have removed corridor care, which means we can focus on providing the high quality care patients deserve.”
He was joined by Watford MP Matt Turmaine on his visit, hosted by West Herts chair Catherine Dugmore and acting chief executive Paul Bannister.
Mr Bannister said: “We would like to thank the secretary of state for visiting Watford General and showing such interest in our work, our teams and our approach to tackling complex issues like corridor care."
Mr Turmaine added: “I’m really pleased that the secretary of state was able to visit our local hospital.
"We had a very productive and wide-ranging meeting on site prior to accompanying him tour of the hospital where he heard first-hand how staff had eliminated corridor care.
"He was taking it all in and was obviously impressed by what he saw and heard with Watford leading the way.”
Share