Unit awarded highest level of accreditation

Date of release: 28 March 2024

A unit which cares for people with acute neurological conditions has been recognised for its exemplary patient care by being awarded the highest level of clinical accreditation at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

The NRU Team with Chief Nursing Officer, Debra Hickman

Sarah Cleaver, Senior Sister on the Neuro Rehabilitation Unit at West Park Hospital, and her team were presented with a Sapphire Award by RWT Chief Nursing Officer Debra Hickman.

The unit was the first one at RWT to receive the accreditation.

To get the accreditation each area must pass an audit which looks at 15 identified areas such as medicine management, communication, safeguarding, and feedback.

Sarah said: “I am so proud of the team. They have done an excellent job to achieve this. It just shows what we all know – it is a great place to work and be cared for.”

The report details patients reported feeling “safe and well cared for.” It also said how it was clear staff worked well together.

Staff were described as ‘incredibly welcoming, friendly, and chatty’ and always going above and beyond for their patients.

Debra said: “The Neuro Rehabilitation Unit is the first unit or ward at the Trust to receive Sapphire Level which indicates the excellent standards being achieved in relation to care and safety, promoting individualised needs and independence through the promotion of the principles of Eat Drink Dress Move to Improve.

“Well done to all the team for their hard work and commitment to provide exceptional patient care.”

Katrina Creedon, Head of Nursing – Quality, said: “It is a great achievement for the NRU to be awarded the level of Sapphire in its recent Clinical Accreditation visit.

“The ethos on the unit focuses on high standards of individualised care that is reflected in patient feedback and the recent visit to the ward.