NHS Lanarkshire has created an innovative method to ensure hospital patients are clear about their care.

Ward 11 at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride is believed to be the first in the country to pioneer a “medical summary sheet”.

The form provides a handy summary of a patient’s medical issues and treatment. It’s updated by staff twice a week, when consultants make their rounds, and is kept by the patient, who can use it to share information with their family members.

It could now be introduced throughout Hairmyres and has the potential to be used across NHS Lanarkshire’s acute hospitals.

Ward 11 senior charge nurse Tom Imrie said: “The summary sheet lists the names of the staff who have seen the patient, their current medical problems, any procedures that have been arranged, planned treatments, their next visit from a consultant and their estimated discharge date.

“There is a section for patients or their families to jot down any questions or concerns they might have. This lets the relevant member of the healthcare team address any questions or issues as soon as possible.

“The initiative has increased the amount of interaction with patients and has ensured that they and their relatives and carers are happier about the level of communication. It’s a valuable supplement to the information staff already provide regularly and has been supported enthusiastically by both doctors and nurses.”

Ward 11 staff nurse Jackie Bonnar, who has helped spearhead the initiative, recently gave a presentation on the summary sheet at a national event on person-centred care.

She said: “Several other health boards were there and were impressed by the results.

“A patient’s understanding and expectations of the outcome of treatment, the care they’ll receive and their planned rehabilitation plays a big part in their recovery.

“Not all patients choose to use the sheet but the majority of those who have felt that it improved communication, particularly with doctors answering questions during ward rounds.

“Another key benefit is that families are up to date with what is happening and this improves shared decision-making between patients and their family and the healthcare team.

“It also means that relatives aren’t always waiting to speak to nursing staff for an update during visits because the information they need is outlined on the form.”

Hairmyres chief of medical services Dr Helen Mackie said: “The medical summary sheet has been a great success and ward 11 staff have to be congratulated for embedding it. The system enhances our goal of providing person-centred care at all times.”