Using NHS resources effectively to improve the ward environment for patients and staff

When the nursing team on the high dependency unit at St James' Hospital, Leeds, moved to their new unit they discovered that aspects of the environment were notworking to the best advantage of patients, visitors and staff. This article outlines the process of identifying and assessing the scope of the issues and formulating an improvement plan. It concludes by sharing the lessons the team learnt, particularly in terms of making better use of existing resources and putting patient experience at the centre of the process.