Volunteers needed to inspect Mid Devon hospitals (From Mid Devon Star)

Volunteers needed to inspect Mid Devon hospitals

3:27pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Mid Devon Star Reporter

VOLUNTEERS are needed to inspect the cleanliness, suitability and meals served to patients at Tiverton and Crediton community hospitals.

Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has launched the recruitment drive as part of a new national system of annual inspections known as PLACE - Patient-led Assessments of the Care Environment.

Recent patients, their friends and relatives would be ideal candidates for the role, with the first inspections due to take place in April.

Selected assessors will need to set aside between five and 10 hours for inspections, including preparation and input into reports.

Personal experience of hospital care would be useful, but not essential, and older volunteers are important, as they make up the majority of patients.

Younger people are also needed, especially when it comes to assessing maternity and children's services.

In return, the trust will cover expenses, provide training and pay for and organise checks with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Trust Chairman Roger French said that above all, volunteers need to be prepared to make their voices heard in a constructive and supportive way.

“This is an opportunity to help us make a real difference for patients.

“We'd love as many people as possible to sign up, so we have enough enthusiasts to give their views on essential issues like food and hygiene at all 18 of our hospitals. “It's a small investment in time that could pay big dividends for their own families, friends and neighbours in the future.”

Further details, including an explanatory booklet, are available from the Trust website www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk