Behind these seemingly modest improvements is something rather extraordinary: hospital staff quietly and innovatively reshaping everyday care.
Since the start of the year, the QEHKL Charity has awarded £30,000 through its Room for Improvement scheme — a staff ideas initiative created in 2022 that encourages individuals to put forward suggestions that improve patient care, boost staff satisfaction, and transform the environment.
They are ideas that spring from the frontline—healthcare professionals who spotted a need, proposed a change, and made it happen through small grants of up to £5,000. Projects that would ordinarily not be supported through NHS funding but are now possible thanks to the generosity of our charity’s supporters, whose contributions help turn great ideas into real, lasting change.
Thanks to these ideas the hospital is now benefiting from:
- Toilet fall alarms and adaptive cutlery. Much needed items that can support staff in safeguarding patients and maintaining patients’ independence.
- Maternity milk fridges and secure storage boxes. Essential equipment for supporting parental independence when feeding newborns. The lockable safe boxes also reduce the risk of babies receiving the incorrect milk.
- Improved outpatient areas. The charity has invested in making these spaces more welcoming and accessible, now boasting better patient flow, more accessible reception desks, and inclusive seating arrangements thanks to the red chair principle. The red chairs are a simple, yet transformative idea born from patient feedback. Understanding how important it is for patients to feel comfortable and supported, the chairs were designed as a visual signal to identify those who may need additional communication support.
- Patient buggy signage. The patient buggy service was introduced in 2023 and has received exceptional feedback. The route has since been extended, so wayfinding and buggy stop location signage have been increased to raise visibility. Customised number plates have been added to the vehicles with their names and highlighting the competition winners, as well as updated banners around the hospital to better promote the service.
The Trust’s Charity Manager, Samantha Taylor, reflected on the importance of the scheme: “This funding shows how our staff can make a real impact. It’s about creating a better environment for everyone, ensuring that every patient’s experience is as positive as it can be.”
Ends.
Notes to editors;
If you would like to raise funds for good causes or help an appeal at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, please take a look at our website www.qehklcharity.co.uk. Alternatively, please email our Charity team at Charity@qehkl.nhs.uk or call 01553 613309.
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About QEHKL Charity: QEHKL Charity plays a vital role in supporting The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. The charity raises funds for medical equipment, research, services, and facilities that directly benefit patients and their families. With its support, The QEH can provide high-quality care, expand services, and improve the hospital experience for those in need.
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