Improving Together: Ward 15 is proud of the progress

Hello everyone,

On Ward 15, we’ve been learning that when we work together as a true multidisciplinary team, amazing things can happen. By making sure our documentation is clear, using simple visual tools, and keeping up regular training, we’re creating a culture where everyone knows their role in keeping patients safe. And honestly, we’re really proud of the progress so far.

One of the first things we put in place was weekly doctor-led training. It’s been brilliant for sharing learning in real time, having open clinical discussions, and making sure we’re all on the same page. You can feel the difference in how confidently the team works together.

Another big focus has been SKIN training, for those who aren’t familiar with this, it is education around pressure ulcer prevention and skin integrity management. It is all about preventing pressure ulcers by looking after skin integrity through the right surfaces, regular movement, good moisture control, and proper nutrition and hydration. We’ve set ourselves the target of getting every single member of the team through the SKIN Focus sessions by September. It’s about making sure everyone has the same knowledge and confidence to deliver excellent skin care.

We’ve also taken a close look at our pressure area care documentation. As part of that, we’re trialling new turning charts alongside the SKIN booklets. The goal is simple, better accuracy, clearer information, and ultimately, better care for our patients.

Recently, we rolled out ‘Enhanced Care Training’, and yes, that means everyone, from nursing to support staff, is booked on. It’s already making a difference in how we plan and deliver care, and you can see the boost in confidence across the team.

And then there’s one of my favourite changes, the visual turning aids above patient beds. They’re so simple: red, amber, or green indicators to show briefly how often a patient needs to be turned. But that little bit of colour is helping us act faster and more consistently.

These changes are already paying off. We’re more aware of patient risks, quicker to make safe decisions during rounds and handovers, and better at coordinating between medical, nursing, and support teams. Most importantly, the whole team feels more confident in the care we’re giving.

Next, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how well the dual recording turning charts are working, asking for feedback on the visual indicators, and using our weekly training to share learning from incidents and highlight best practice.

It’s been a real team effort so far, and I can’t wait to see where Improving Together takes us next.

Thanks for reading,

Tim Avison,
Ward Manager