The Concept Ward Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the Impact of the Concept Ward on Patient and Staff Experiences and Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study.
IRAS ID
334395
Contact name
sarahjane Jones
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 9 days
Research summary
Most UK hospital wards are a mix of single rooms and areas with multiple beds although there is little information on how these wards are designed and their impact on patient and staff experiences. The “New Hospital Programme” advises that only single rooms are built in new hospital wards. Research suggests that single rooms improve patient and staff outcomes and experiences, by ensuring privacy, and reducing interruptions. Some studies found that patients in areas with multiple beds keep each other company, which in turn may reduce loneliness, and improve patients' quality of life when admitted to hospital. To ensure patients receive high quality care when admitted to hospital, it is important that ward layouts serve the different needs of the varying kinds of patients receiving care, and that the ward areas are supportive of their friends and families during their hospital stay.
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH) have a newly designed ward environment called the Concept Ward, which in total has 28 beds (12 enhanced side rooms; eight standard side rooms and two four-bedded bays). This new ward is in place while the hospital reviews and puts in place fail safe remedial works to support reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete materials. This means that different wards, at different time points will move to the Concept Ward while their ward areas are being repaired, offering a chance for patients and staff to experience the new ward, see what they think compared with the “old ward”, and if any changes are needed before the new hospital is built.
This study will assess how the Concept Ward influences the experiences and outcomes of patients and staff. Findings from this study will help JPUH and other NHS Trusts consider the important things for both patients and staff when building new hospital wards.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0361
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion