Cornish NHS Trust shortlisted at national patient safety awards
We are proud to announce that our Patient Experience Team is shortlisted as a finalist at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Awards 2025.
The team are a finalist in the Learning Disabilities Initiative of the Year category.
It is in recognition of a wayfinding project which aims to improve hospital signage for those with a learning disability.
The project is called It started with a conversation on Bassett Street.
The project was co-produced with CHAMPs. The CHAMPs are a group of 7 people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions. They helped shape the design of the wayfinding with their lived experience.
Cilla Long is a patient experience officer for the Trust. She was integral to the wayfinding project.
Cilla explains the name behind the project:
"Several years ago, I was invited to a meeting with the CHAMPs in Camborne, at an office on Bassett Street.
"Many of the CHAMPs fed back to us that our hospital signage was confusing. They said that the wayfinding was often ineffective and is barrier for accessing healthcare.
"It often left patients getting lost and then being late, or missing appointments. The CHAMPs explained that it takes away independence from people with a learning disability who want to maintain their freedom.
"I knew I could help. This is where 'it started with a conversation on Bassett Street' came from."
A solution was co-designed with the CHAMPs. Zoe Locke is the patient experience team manager. Zoe commented:
"We got the CHAMPs involved in the project as people with a learning disability often see things differently. Those with lived experience are best placed to take ownership and help us make decisions.
"The new signage uses symbols and signs on wipeable and transferrable vinyl. This is a cost-effective solution. It allows the signs to go elsewhere if a service moves.
"The signage has a matte finish. This aids accessibility for those with a visual impairment. The CHAMPs also suggested we colour code arrows to help with navigation."
Ben Law and Nicky Jones from the CHAMPs guided Zoe and Cilla on where the wayfinding signs should go.
"The first signs were placed in Bodmin Hospital. Ben and Nicky showed us where they should go for people to be able to understand and follow.
"The wayfinding signs are now in all the community hospitals and some outside clinical areas." Cilla Long
The awards announcement comes after a rigorous judging process. The panel of judges are healthcare leaders and patient safety experts.
The awards are organised by the Health Service Journal. The awards celebrate teams and individuals who go above in their line of work.
This year's awards ceremony will take place on 15 September 2025 at Manchester Central. It brings together hundreds of healthcare professionals from across the country. Winners will be announced during the evening celebration.