Charity-funded initiative aims to improve communication for patients over 18 with life-limiting conditions

A NEW charity-funded initiative will improve communication for patients over 18 with a life-limiting condition in Carmarthenshire

The Hywel Dda Carmarthenshire Community Nursing Service is launching a new initiative which aims is to improve communication for patients over 18 with a life-limiting condition to ensure their voice is heard.

The project aims to facilitate communication between all those supporting a patient and is aligned with the national Safe Care Collaborative which is led by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement and Improvement Cymru. Locally this important quality improvement project is being lead through the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Enabling Quality Improvement in Practice (EQIiP) programme.

The initiative has been made possible thanks to Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of the Health Board, who purchased 1,000 Lions Clubs’ ‘Message in a Bottle’ bottles and Carmarthen Lions Club who donated 400 bottles.

The ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme is designed to encourage people to keep their basic personal and medical details on a standard form and in a common location – the fridge.

The scheme saves the Emergency Services valuable time if they need to enter a property in an emergency. It helps identify who you are and if you have special medication or allergies.

Craig Jones, Clinical Lead Nurse, said: “We are so grateful to the staff, patients and families whose donations have allowed us to purchase the ‘Message in a Bottle’ bottles and also to Carmarthen Lions Club for their generous donation of 400 bottles.

“This new project will improve the experience for our patients being cared for in their own homes by ensuring that their wishes are followed by all those involved in their care.

“The bottles will enable key information about a person’s wishes to be stored in a standardised and recognised way whilst receiving care in their own homes.

“Those involved in supporting the patient, such as third sector agencies, social and health care professionals, will be trained to recognise the ‘Message in a Bottle’ as the place to find the essential information in regard to a person’s wishes.”

Sarah Cameron, Head of Community Nursing, said: “”It’s been great to see an all-round great team effort from the project team.”

Mr Roger Lewis from Carmarthen Lions Club, said: “Carmarthen Lions Club has been supporting local needs for 50 years, and is delighted to assist such a fantastic initiative by donating 400 bottles to Hywel Dda Health Charities.”

“The bottles will help protect people in our communities. This would not be possible without donations from the public and local businesses. We welcome new members, please see our social media”.

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Your donations are making a positive difference to the health, wellbeing and experience of NHS patients, service users and staff.

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk