How new ward round standards are transforming care | Latest updates

 My ward round feels safer and I am more included in decisions

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) is strengthening patient experience by ensuring every voice is heard. Through the Every Voice Group, the Trust has created a clear escalation route to enable patient feedback to travel from ward to board. During group discussions, many patients shared that ward rounds (regular meetings between patients and professionals to discuss their progress) did not always feel person centred or supportive. They described several challenges, including:

• Patients felt like discussions and decisions happened before they entered the room
• Some felt there was a power imbalance, so they were unable to contribute fully or confidently
• A lack of follow-up support was sometimes felt, with patients feeling overwhelmed or unclear about what had been discussed

To address these concerns, a project team spoke to around 50 patients to understand their experiences and gather ideas for improvement. Their insights shaped 10 new ward round standards, which were piloted on a female acute ward.

10 ward round standards

1. Each standard is designed to empower patients and improve their experience:
2. Preparing for my ward round - patients to be given 1-to-1 time beforehand to prepare and write down key points
3. No ward round about me without me - patients are included from the start of the round, with their voices valued throughout
4. My ward round, my people - patients can choose who attends, including family, carers or supporters
5. My ward round in an environment I am comfortable with - patients can choose the room and seating arrangements
6. My ward round, my way - patients can chair their own ward rounds and help set agendas
7. My communication needs - information must be accessible, with interpreters available if needed
8. My story - patients' experiences and feelings are listened to and respected
9. What I would like to happen and help I need to make it happen - patients understand how concerns can be moved forward and who will support them
10. My plans and goals - clear, accessible plans and goals are agreed together
11. My post ward round support needs - 1-to-1 is offered afterward rounds to help patients process information and seek support if distressed

Dr Toby Greenhall, Clinical Director and Responsible Clinician on the female acute ward at LPFT said:

The ward round standards have helped us to re-shape our ward rounds to be more patient-centred and to ensure that everyone's voice is heard - I have seen the impact first hand in terms of patients feeling more empowered and care feeling more collaborative."

Patients also reported significant improvements. Andrew Page, Lead Patient Partner for Every Voice said:

As an inpatient myself I have seen the difference the 10 standards make from having less people in the room to being able to put my point across first it makes the power divide feel less.

Lou Bannister, Every Voice Guardian, said:

Ward rounds are key multidisciplinary meetings where key decisions are made, including treatment plans and discharge. It is critical that the patient's voice is at the centre of these decisions, and after hearing from patients it was clear that the current ways ward rounds were conducted did not always support this. We hope the 10 ward round standards will go some way towards ensuring that the experience is now more collaborative and does not feel to patients like something that is done to them.

What's next

Following a successful pilot, the standards have now been used across the Trust. The project team is also working with the Mental Health Act team and patients across wards to develop standards for Associate Hospital Manager Meetings, ensuring patient voices remain central wherever decisions are made.

For further information about this project, please contact Lou Bannister, LPFT Every Voice Guardian: louise.bannister7@nhs.net