Gate 12 is ‘rolling’ out change | MY staff stories

Teams in the Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Medical Unit (AMU) at Pinderfields Hospital are taking part in phase two of Improving Together, a programme focused on making care safer, quicker and better for patients, while also improving the working experience for staff.

Staff from both areas have completed training and are now using what they have learned in their day-to-day work. This includes collecting information about how care is delivered and using it to make practical improvements that matter most to patients and colleagues.

A key part of the programme is the introduction of short daily team meetings, known as improvement huddles. These give staff at all levels the chance to share ideas, highlight problems and agree simple changes that could make a difference. Ideas are written on shared improvement boards so everyone can see what is being worked on and how changes are progressing.

In the Acute Medical Unit, the team is focusing on reducing how long patients stay in hospital by improving the flow of care. They track days where patient progress is delayed and use this information to understand what is causing hold-ups and how these can be reduced. The aim is to help patients move through their care more smoothly and avoid unnecessary waiting.

One recent improvement came from Ellie, a Doctor’s Assistant working in AMU. She suggested giving Doctor’s Assistants their own mobile computer and printer. Previously, printing blood test forms meant walking to shared printers, which could be slow or unreliable. This often took up valuable time that could be better spent supporting patient care.

With a dedicated computer and printer at the bedside, forms can now be printed instantly. The mobile workstation also contains essential equipment, such as cannulas, so staff have everything they need in one place. This change saves up to an hour each day and helps staff respond more quickly to patients’ needs.

Although this work is still in its early stages, it is already having a positive impact. Teams are able to work more efficiently, respond faster to patients and improve safety and quality of care.

Hear from Ellie on this idea: