Our Fundamentals of Care standards

• Patients will be consulted and asked about their oral care needs and preferences while in hospital.
  
• As far as possible, patients will be able to undertake a good standard of oral care whilst in hospital.
  
• Patients will be informed of what they should expect regarding their oral care assessment and plan whilst in hospital.
  
• Where possible, patients will be assisted/enabled to take responsibility for their own oral care.
  
• Where appropriate, patients will be encouraged to clean teeth (including dentures) twice a day and helped where required.
  
• Where possible, some key equipment will be available for patients if they do not have their own.

• Patients will be asked about their dietary requirements and preferences on admission.
  
• Patients have access to an appropriate menu and be given time to choose options before meal orders are taken.
  
• Patients will be given the support they need at mealtimes.
  
• The environment is conducive to eating and drinking, including being free from disruption and interruptions.
  
• Patients will feel ready for their meal to be served.
  
• Patients will understand that their food and fluid intake may need to be recorded to enable monitoring of their intake.

• Patients will be encouraged to get up every day.
  
• Patients will be supported to get dressed every day, including footwear.
  
• Patients will have a personal assessment and care plan to help them move as safely as possible in hospital.
  
• Patients will be supported to move around in hospital with the assistance and equipment needed.
  
• Patients will have their standing blood pressure checked, and their medicines reviewed to make sure they are right and to reduce the risk of falling.
  
• Patients will be able to call for assistance from staff when they need it.
  
• If appropriate, the hospital therapy team will assess the patient to help them keep moving during their hospital stay.
  
• Hospital staff will do their best to give supervision and observation to support patient safety.
  
• If patients need to use a walking aid or specialist equipment, they will be able to access this.
  
• Patient environments will be adapted to support their independence as much as possible.
  
• Patients will be encouraged to get up, dressed and moving to help them feel better sooner.

• Patients will be asked when admitted to the hospital if they have any pain, and if they do, how they normally manage it.
  
• Patients will be asked regularly during your admission about their pain. This may be day and night depending on the clinical need. A variety of pain assessment tools will be available for use to ensure that every patient’s pain is accurately assessed.
  
• Patients will be aware of the plan of how their pain will be treated while in hospital.
  
• Patients will be aware of the pain medication available to them and know how to request them, and how long it should be taken for.
  
• Patients will receive prompt interventions when experiencing pain. This may be administration of medications, repositioning or other non-drug-related methods.
  
• Help will be sought when pain is difficult to manage.
  
• Patients will be involved in their ongoing pain management plan on discharge and aware this is shared with community care providers.
  
• Patients will receive care from staff that are knowledgeable and skilled in the management of pain.

• Patients will be consulted and asked about their bowel and bladder care while in hospital.
  
• As far as possible, patients will be able to go to the toilet normally during their stay in hospital. They will be involved in their assessment and plan of care.
  
• Patients will be involved in reviewing their plan of care and will understand how any issues that arise will be addressed and by whom.
  
• Patients will experience care that minimises any embarrassment about the need to open their bowels or empty your bladder.
  
• Patients will be enabled to use the toilet, or their usual alternative, as soon as practicable.
  
• Patients will understand the reason for the use of a urinary catheter and when it will be removed.
  
• Patients will understand the reason for the use of a faecal management device and when it will be removed.
  
• Patients will have trust and confidence in the staff providing their bowel and bladder care.
  
• Patients will understand their bowel and bladder care and know who they can ask about it.
  
• Patients will understand what arrangements have been made to support them with your ongoing bladder and bowel care needs following discharge from hospital.

• Patients will be given information about their initial level of pressure ulcer risk and informed about any existing skin damage.
  
• Patients will have access to an information leaflet that explains the important steps they can take to help prevent pressure ulcers (also known as bed sores). With their consent, a leaflet may also be provided to their relative and/or carer.
  
• Patients will be informed about the plan for treating their wound during their hospital stay. Any changes or challenges that arise will be communicated to the patient, along with details of which team will address them.
  
• Patients will receive detailed information about why a medical device (such as oxygen tubing or a catheter) is needed.
  
  Staff will explain any potential risks to their skin and discuss ways to prevent skin damage.
  
  Assistance will be given and with patient consent and suitable products will be applied to maintain their skin integrity.
  
  If their product is unsuitable, an explanation and appropriate alternative may be offered.
  
• Patients will receive information about the equipment available to help prevent pressure damage to their skin. They will be involved in the decision-making process, and if any personal equipment is unsuitable, staff discuss this with them and offer an appropriate alternative.
  
• To help prevent skin damage, staff will encourage patients to remain as independent as possible and take part in mobilising. When patients need to reposition in their chair or bed, staff will assist. Patients are encouraged to ask their family for support with mobilising and to give reminders about changing position regularly.
  
• Patients will receive personalised care from staff who are knowledgeable and skilled in pressure ulcer prevention and wound management. This care will be tailored to meet individual needs.

• Patients will be consulted and asked about their personal hygiene care while in hospital.
• As far as possible, patients will be able to undertake a good standard of personal hygiene care during their stay in hospital.
• Patients will know what the plan is, how issues will be addressed and by whom, and will be informed of any changes to the plan.
• Patients will receive care from staff that are knowledgeable, skilled and can refer appropriately to specialist services.
• You will experience care that maximises privacy and dignity.
• Where possible, some key toiletries will be available for patients if they do not have their own. Where practical, they will be enabled to use facilities such as showers.

• Patients will have their communication needs identified.
• Patient communication and understanding will be supported through any means or changes needed to help them take part in their care.
• Patients and their advocates will be listened to, and questions and concerns answered in a kind, caring and timely manner.
• If patients are unable to communicate, they can be confident that they will be cared for in their best interest, following the correct procedures.
• Patients and your advocates will be informed about treatment and care options (including their risks and benefits) by a suitably knowledgeable person.
• Information will be presented in a way they can understand and access.
• Patients and their advocates will be given information on how to comment on their care.
• Patient records will be clear, complete, and reflective of the care provided.
• All conversations with, or about, patients will be clearly and accurately documented.

• If you press your call bell, someone will answer it.
• If you need help and cannot find your call bell, please tell a member of staff or your visitor can ask for you.
• Your comfort and safety matter to us.

Please tell us:

• If you are uncomfortable, in pain, hungry, thirsty, or worried.
• If something does not feel right.
• If you are unhappy with any part of your care.

Your feedback helps us improve.