The nursing team at Worthing Hospital’s A&E department has been recognised by its NHS trust for significantly lowering ambulance waiting times in the town.
The trust behind the hospital, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said on Thursday (December 28) that the staff should receive the trust's "Star of the Month" award.
It was given for what trust managers called "outstanding commitment, professionalism and teamwork" in transferring patients from ambulances, and getting paramedics back on the road.
When an ambulance arrives at a hospital, the national target for clinically handing over patients is within 15 minutes of arrival.
However, operational challenges including significant peaks in demand can lengthen handover times and cause delays.
Across the South East region, the average ambulance handover times are performing at 44% across 18 local hospitals, and the national picture is of very great concern and controversy over these delays.
However, Worthing’s emergency department is currently above the national performance target at 70%, alongside the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, which is also part of the University Hospitals Sussex trust.
Managers claim that the lowering of handover times at Worthing and Haywards Heath over the last six months have been due to what the trust calls its "Patient First Improvement Programme".
These improvements, says the trust, are now fully embedded into their routine and have not only resulted in improved operational performance and patient care, but also mean that the South East Coast Ambulance Service can respond to more calls and help more patients in the Sussex community.
Julie Thomas, Divisional Director of Nursing said:
"Patient care is at the heart of this with the emergency department staff pulling together as a team to offload and release ambulances even when under great pressure.
"The very strong caring culture within the department means they always put their patients first, recognising and understanding the importance of getting ambulances back out on the road to go to calls often desperately needing their support.
"This team continues to strive daily to ensure timely care for all patients who attend A&E by ambulance or walk-in routes, with the leadership team constantly reviewing and adapting ways of working to prioritise excellent care for all patients.
"Overall, the compassion shown to all patients and colleagues despite daily challenges of a busy emergency department is truly exceptional."
Tori Cooper, Hospital Director of Nursing at Worthing added:
"Our teams in A&E are working extremely hard to see the patients who need to see us, the focus on patient care, experience and continuous improvement in often very challenging circumstances is to be commended.
"Thank you to our nursing team at Worthing emergency department for adding to this and showing your commitment and professionalism to UHSussex."
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