Patients visiting the Medical Therapies Unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath can now use a new and much more convenient entrance, saving them time and a longer walk via the adjoining Cardiac ward.
Multiple sclerosis patient Ros Dobson
It’s all come about thanks to patient experience and feedback, particularly from multiple sclerosis patient Ros Dobson who told her story to the Management Board of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.
Ros, from Bath, said: “I’ve been coming here for treatment for seven years, every four weeks, and I’ve always felt uncomfortable at having to reach Medical Therapies by walking through the Cardiac ward.
“It feels intrusive to walk past areas where inpatients are being treated. I use crutches and can’t move quickly, and I’m always worried I’ll get in the way of staff in a hurry to an emergency.
“There’s always the risk of infection too. So, having this new access is great and much better for patients like me and the staff.”
The new route to Medical Therapies is now via Vascular Studies on the second floor of Zone B (B56). It is for ambulatory and elective patients – others will continue to use the Cardiac ward route.
Senior Sister Liz Richards said: “This is such a simple solution to a long-standing issue and we’re so pleased that we’ve been supported to make it happen.
“We can see around 300 patients a month and this means we’re preserving their dignity and privacy, reducing the risk of infection – and making their experience much more comfortable and convenient.”
The Medical Therapies Unit is a six-trolley/chairs, nurse-led unit providing care for patients admitted for planned treatment and/or investigations from a wide range of medical specialities, thereby reducing the need for inpatient admission.
