HOSPITAL patients are set to receive tailored care thanks to new boards installed above every bed.

The interactive ID panels are now in place on the wards at Furness General in Barrow to enable nurses and doctors to see key information about a patient at a glance.

The wipe clean panels will tell staff what a patient prefers to be called, basic information about their care plan and any needs or requirements they may have while in hospital.

The boards will also feature the nationally recognised symbol of a blue butterfly for patients suffering with dementia, while a coloured maple leaf magnet will inform staff that a patient requires end of life care.

Sue Smith, executive chief nurse at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust – the body that runs FGH, in Dalton Lane – said the approach was a step towards making sure patients received personal care during their stay.

“Ensuring we take a standardised approach to recording key information about a patient – making sure we capture all the important information relating to their care and displaying this information in a visible way which remains sensitive to a patient’s privacy and dignity is a priority to the trust.”

The boards are also being installed at other hospitals run by UHMBT – Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Previously medical staff had no standardised way of recording patient information with some wards using clip boards at the end of beds and others recording information on a white board on the wall.

The boards are now in place and being used in time for the planned inspection of the hospital by government health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, next week.

Sally Young, trust-wide matron for quality, said the move was set to improve the patient experience during an often stressful time.

“As patients are involved in their care, we are encouraging them to update the information on their ID panels daily as their individual care needs change.

“This will enhance engagement between staff and patients and help improve communication and also see a reduction in harm.”