A new system for improving patient translation services at Stepping Hill Hospital and community NHS services has been shortlisted twice over for a national patient experience award.
The CardMedic system has been shortlisted in both the ‘Digital and Technology Innovation for Experience’ and ‘Support Operations Excellence in Improving Experience’ categoriesof the Picker Experience Awards, which recognise the best standards in patient experience and care.
The CardMedic system was introduced across services by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust last year, and allows staff to communicate more clearly and confidently with patients who face language or communication barriers.
It allows staff instant, safe communication at the point of care, with live interpreting in more than 200 languages, plus clinically validated scripts in multiple languages and BSL, Easy Read and Read Aloud formats.
CardMedic is embedded on 455 bedside devices across 20 hospital wards through partnership with SPARK TSL, and is also available to community teams including midwives, school and district nurses. Over 1,220 staff in both hospital and community are now registered with the system, with over 5,700 live translations and 19,000 interactions carried out since it was introduced.
Staff feedback has reported positive effects on patient understanding, reassurance, dignity and the ability to express needs.
Pam Fearns, Chief Nursing Information Officer at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, led the project’s implementation. She said; “We’re delighted that the CardMedic system has been nominated for this PEN award. Its impact on the patient experience has been hugely positive. Conversations are a vital part of providing excellent patient care, and that’s what the system has helped us do, supporting equality and inclusivity across our services. “
Dr Rachael Grimaldi, Founder of CardMedic and Consultant Adult and Paediatric Anaesthetist: “We’re incredibly proud to see our work with Stockport recognised by the PEN Awards. Pam and the team share our belief that every patient should have a voice in their care, whatever their language or communication needs, and together we’ve shown the impact that can have at scale – improving access for patients, giving staff communication support when they need it and doing so affordably for the trust. It’s been an amazing partnership and the recognition is thoroughly deserved.”
The winners of the Picker Experience Awards will be announced at a live event at the University of Birmingham on 1st October.
