Weston General Hospital Launches Service Pledge

Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Service Pledge for Breast Cancer was developed by the charity as a tool for healthcare professionals and their patients to work together to improve breast cancer services.

Breast cancer patients at Weston General Hospital were asked about the services they received and about any improvements they would like to see. The Service Pledge outlines suggestions made by patients which the hospital is now working towards. They include:

• Reducing the waiting times for patients in clinics
• Improving patient information, including new signposting and a new display of patient information
• Giving patients information about members of staff involved in their care, including photographs and description of their roles.
• In the long term, improving the patient environment, including developing a dedicated area for women waiting for mammograms and developing a women’s unit.

Every person diagnosed with breast cancer at Weston General Hospital will be given a copy of the Breakthrough Service Pledge, letting them know the services they can expect, how the unit intends to improve its service and how patients can let staff know if they think something can be done better.

Breast Care Nurse Claire Garnell who is leading the Breakthrough Service Pledge project at Weston General Hospital, said:
“We were delighted to get so much positive feedback from our patients and it is encouraging that so many said they felt supported and well informed by staff at Weston General Hospital. But working with our patients on the Breakthrough Service Pledge has also shown us where we can improve the quality of our service and we look forward to implementing many of the changes they suggested.”

Local MP John Penrose who launched the Service Pledge at Weston General Hospital said:
“Participating in Breakthrough’s Service Pledge for Breast Cancer is an important step towards providing the best possible breast cancer services. Patients at Weston General Hospital will be able to work in conjunction with the health professionals who treat them and have a much bigger say in their care.”

Ross Kester, Influencing Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said:
“We are delighted that Weston General Hospital has committed to improving its service through Breakthrough’s Service Pledge for Breast Cancer. Straightforward suggestions from patients can make a big difference to services and do not have to be expensive to have a real impact on their experience.

“It is vital that the nearly 46,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK receive a quick diagnosis and the highest quality treatment, care and information. Services may differ across the country but the pursuit of high standards should be universal. We believe that by using Breakthrough’s Service Pledge for Breast Cancer, and really listening to the views of patients, Weston General Hospital can play its part in achieving this goal.”