Situation
The aim of the involvement activity was to establish the quality and accessibility of radiology services for those attending with a visual impairment.
Task
Within local feedback forms, services users can select whether they would like to be involved in further feedback opportunities. The service users who agreed to this were contacted to see if they would like to be involved in this project. A focus group meeting was then created and arranged with staff members, a local visual impairment charity officer and external candidates.
Action
During the initial focus group meeting, proposed changes were suggested by those involved. These changes included:
- Different coloured toilet seats in bathroom facilities
- Keeping reception desks manned
- Staff visual awareness training
- QR Codes for patient information
- Way finding apps
- Eye level signage with bold contrast
- Fluorescent stickers for dark reporting rooms within the department to assist staff
A meeting was later arranged with radiology management to highlight the proposed changes and discuss implementation plan.
A walkaround of radiology departments Trustwide was arranged with a local visual impairment charity officer. They were satisfied with the department overall and highlighted the importance of:
- Keeping reception desks manned
- Dark coloured seating against bright walls and floors
- High contrast eye-level signage
- Adjustable lighting in rooms
- Black or red toilet seat
- Having alerts on patient records (with the consent of the patient) so staff are aware before calling patient from waiting area
- Staff training paramount
Result
The majority of changes highlighted in the initial focus group meeting were implemented, including:
- Different coloured toilet seats in bathroom facilities
- Keeping reception desks manned
- Staff visual awareness training
- QR Codes for patient information is ongoing
- Eye level signage with bold contrast
- Fluorescent stickers for dark reporting rooms within the department to assist staff
- Bold coloured seating in waiting areas
The focus group met again 1 year following the initial meeting. Changes were discussed and overall feedback was positive. All of those involved were satisfied with overall outcome.
There was concern surrounding the use of wayfinding apps due to the potential for recording other service users/ staff/ members of the public. There was also concern around having a departmental screen reader. It was highlighted within the focus group that not everyone would be able to use the same or any screen reader. It was decided that these changes were not suitable for implementation. The focus group agreed with this decision.
In the focus group and walkaround with the local visual impairment charity officer, it was highlighted staff training and awareness were paramount. Both clinical and non-clinical staff attended face to face training. Feedback from this training was very positive as it included how to guide someone with a visual impairment and let staff experience what those with a visual impairment experience.
Overall, the project was a great learning experience for those involved and staff within the radiology department. It’s made us think differently about how we approach service users with a visual impairment and how we can physically improve the department to make it more accessible and pleasant for service users to attend.
