Posted on: 29 Apr 2016
The ‘Just Do It’ initiative encourages front-line staff to quickly implement ideas that improve patient and staff experience, by providing funding to enable individuals to make the change themselves. Charity Chief Executive, Barbara Cathcart joined the Trust Board, NUH public members and Terri Porrett from ‘Fab NHS Stuff’ to recognise staff for ten ‘Just Do It’ initiatives.
The latest ‘Just Do It’ ideas to be recognised include; ‘Book Nook – a special designated area where staff can donate their unwanted books, so patients and visitors can sit and read together. ‘Putting patients in the hot seat’ – a specialist chair that prevents pressure ulcers for respiratory patients, who often have to sit up though the night and ‘Twiddle muffs’ – knitted hand muffs that provide a calming, sensory experience for patients with dementia, giving them something to occupy their hands and minds.
Terri Porrett from Fab NHS Stuff – a platform for sharing great ideas across the NHS gave a speech at the awards, saying: “We think Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham Hospitals Charity are an exemplar example of using best practise to make good things happen. Not only is the ‘Just Do It’ scheme improving things for patients in Nottingham but this is also having a national impact, enabling other NHS colleagues across the country to replicate their ideas and change the way that patients are cared for by their organisations.”
Hundreds of successful Just Do It ideas have been put in place over the past five years in a scheme that has earnt national recognition. Just Do It’s are simple but effective at improving services. The initiative enables small changes to make a real difference and the principles behind the scheme are celebrated nationally as a means for driving improvement.