Volunteering Opportunity: Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) with Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust are looking for PLACE volunteers. In this role you will be part of a team that carries out assessments in Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust in-patient units. These assessments are called Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) and take place annually.

Volunteers will be asked to supply any relevant personal information such as related experience or any medical conditions which may impact upon the work. However, experience is not necessary as training is provided. Any additional volunteer support needs will be discussed and where practical, measures will be put in place.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: East Herts, Welwyn/Hatfield

Location: Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons, Weekday Evenings

Practical Considerations: Volunteer support and benefits

The Patient Experience Team will be available to support you with any queries or concerns throughout the assessment programme.

Past volunteers have told us that taking part in the PLACE assessments is a rewarding and sociable day. The assessments ensure that the environment in which our patients are cared for is the best it can be.

Travel expenses can be claimed by volunteers using either their own vehicle or using public transport.

Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Suitable for: Aged 26 and over

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Health and Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Voluntary & Community Action

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
The PLACE team includes HCT clinical and estates staff, usually 4 people in each team, 50% of which must be volunteers.

All question and section scores submitted within PLACE will contribute to assessing;

• Cleanliness
• Food and hydration
• Privacy, dignity and wellbeing
• Condition, appearance and maintenance
• Dementia; how well the needs of patients with
dementia are met
• Disability: how well the needs of patients with a
disability are met

Results of all PLACE assessments are reported to Trust Board and actions are taken to improve the environment for patients where identified.


When

The assessments will take place between September and November 2024.

Where

Volunteers will be given the option of which in-patient unit assessment to assess.

Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Welwyn
Danesbury Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit, Welwyn
Oxford & Cambridge Wards, Herts & Essex Hospital (Bishops Stortford)

In instances where this is not possible volunteers will be offered an opportunity at an alternative in-patient unit.

On the day

We recommend comfortable clothing and walking shoes, and assessors must be bare below the elbows. Bear in mind that wards can be quite warm so layers are recommended.

On the day, the assessment team meet on the ward at 9.30am for a briefing by the assessment lead. The assessment team then walk around the ward together to carry out the assessment with a break mid-morning to complete the assessment forms.

Refreshments are provided and the assessment team has a meal together at lunchtime, and score the ward food as part of the assessment. At larger units the assessment will continue into the afternoon.

Each assessment visit concludes with the team getting together to agree the scoring and review the day. We will aim to finish the assessments no later than 4.30pm.