The system gives patients a small pager when they arrive for their appointment.
Instead of sitting in a busy waiting room, they are free to move around the hospital site, grab a coffee or bite to eat, get fresh air, or wait somewhere quieter. When it is time for their appointment, the pager alerts them to return.
This approach is particularly helpful for patients who find crowded environments stressful or overwhelming, including neurodiverse individuals. It also helps to manage the flow of people in the waiting area, reducing noise, improving accessibility, and supporting a calmer clinical environment.
Kathryn Brian, a sister in the department, shared: “I have seen first-hand how these new devices have helped a patient with autism. Busy areas and unusual noises can cause sensory overload and heightened anxiety, which can disrupt communication, increase distress and negatively affect the delivery of care. This particular patient did not feel able to wait in the waiting area, the pager enabled him to wait outside until he could be called straight into see the doctor, allowing him to get the most from his appointment.”
The initiative was developed by Orthopaedic Specialist Nurse, Sally Boswell, who said:
“Being able to wait in a quieter area, such as one of our gardens or in a café, can make a real difference to how patients experience their appointment.
“It gives them more freedom, reduces stress for those who find busy environments difficult, and also helps our teams manage the waiting room more smoothly. It’s a small change that can make a big impact.”
The system was funded by the League of Friends charity, who donated just over £2,000 to make the idea a reality.
Penny Hipkin, Chair of the League of Friends, said: “We were very happy to support this request. It’s a simple but significant way to improve comfort and dignity for patients waiting to be seen.”
The quiet call pagers are now in operation and already improving the outpatient experience for patients and staff alike.
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Notes to editors;
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