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How did we do?
Working with King's staff to improve patient experience
Sometimes a small change can make a big
difference to a patient’s time in hospital. And
the people who know how to make the biggest
difference to patients are King’s staff themselves.
The Crown Fund is an opportunity for staff to apply
for up to £25,000 to turn their ideas into reality.
Every year, we invite all staff to submit their ideas
for projects that will improve patient experience
or the hospital environment, enhance services
and support wellbeing.
In 2021, eight brilliant applications stood out
and we were delighted to award grants to these
homegrown projects that put patients and their
loved ones at the heart of the initiatives.
Improving wellbeing through nature
Funding will be used to install a green sedum roof on
an unused section of rooftop between Denmark Wing
and Golden Jubilee at King’s College Hospital. The new
long-lasting green roof will be clearly visible as you walk
from Golden Jubilee to General Ultrasound. This area is
often busy with patients waiting for appointments and
the peaceful green space will provide a relaxing and
calming view to help improve their mental wellbeing.
Making a lasting difference to patient outcomes
The priority for any healthcare provider is to achieve
the best possible outcomes for patients. This project
will develop a simple approach that identifies and
measures the outcomes that matter most to patients.
The new Head of Patient Outcomes will use the
findings to inform a business case, enabling the
approach to be rolled out across King’s. This project
will use clinical audit methods (identify best practice,
measure and improve) to make a real and lasting
difference to patients.
Transforming an underused area
into a warm and welcoming space
Katherine Monk ward is a major trauma ward where
patients with complex and life-changing injuries can
sometimes be admitted for long stays of up to a year.
The patient day room will be refurbished, turning it into
a pleasant area for patients of all ages to relax, enjoy
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each other’s company and have a comfortable space to
meet relatives. A new television, sensory lighting, cosy
furniture and calming décor will transform the current
day room into a warm and welcoming area for some
of the hospital’s longest inpatients.
Supporting families with loved ones in critical care
Thanks to our funding, the new CCU multidisciplinary
team at King’s have been providing dedicated support
to patients and families connected to critical care. The
team identified that families of patients brought to
the CCU often arrive in a state of emergency, without
clothes or a place to stay. For some, the travel and
accommodation costs are simply beyond their means.
The critical care sustenance fund will help these
families with the costs of accommodation, food and
safe travel, and the team will ensure they are supported
with practical help and advice.
Creating a therapeutic sensory
room for older inpatients
This project, completed in the early summer of
2022, improved the environment on Donne ward,
transforming the day room into a therapeutic area
specifically designed for people with cognitive and
communication impairments. The improvements will
help combat isolation, boredom and confusion, as
well as encouraging patients to engage in meaningful
activity. The area is equipped with extra comfortable
seating, adjustable lighting, new technology and
sensory stimulation, providing frail patients with a
calming, comforting environment.
Launching the new Dementia Café
Our funding has enabled a pilot programme designed
to provide information, support and activities for
people with dementia and their families through
a partnership of local care providers, voluntary
organisations and key teams at King’s. The monthly
Dementia Café sessions and regular pop-up stalls by
local dementia groups provide information on how to
access support in the community. The Café programme
also uses reminiscence therapies, offers activities such
as arts and crafts, and conducts singing and musical
sessions. And there is always the opportunity for a cup
of tea, a slice of cake and a good chat.
