Bluebell Ward shortlisted for HSJ Patient Safety Awards
Our Bluebell Ward team has been shortlisted for the Mental Health Safety Improvement Award at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards , recognising their outstanding work to improve patient safety and experience.
Bluebell Ward, based at Springfield Hospital, is a national specialist mental health ward for Deaf and Deafblind adults. The team has developed a communication-led approach to care, recognising that patients can only be fully involved in their treatment when information is accessible and they can communicate in their preferred way.
To support this, staff have introduced visual care plans and risk assessments, developed information in British Sign Language and braille, and adopted hands-on communication techniques for Deafblind patients. Staff have also worked closely with patients to develop a guide that sets out their communication needs and preferences, helping new staff and visitors communicate more effectively.
To support independence, the ward environment has been carefully designed with adaptations such as braille signage and visual landmarks, helping patients find their way around more easily.
Ellen Burgess, Ward Manager for Bluebell Ward, said: "We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for this award. For Deaf and Deafblind people, communication is not simply an accessibility issue, it is fundamental to safe and effective care. Our team works hard to ensure patients can understand their care, express their needs and play an active role in decisions about their treatment. This recognition reflects the dedication, skill and compassion of our whole multidisciplinary team and the difference that accessible, person-centred care can make to people's lives."
By placing communication at the centre of care, the team has helped create a calmer, more inclusive ward environment. Patients report feeling more involved in decisions about their treatment and better able to understand the information they are given.
