Development Sites

For the next step of the Beacon strand four new areas have been identified.  These areas are known as Development Sites in Compassionate Care. There are some emerging key processes from working with the Beacon Wards and the development sites are where these findings can be developed further and a greater understanding achieved.

Being a development site means participants will be committed to examining current practice and implement initiatives that will enhance practice to make it more compassionate for patients, their families and for staff.

The application process started in October 2008. The process was not designed to judge the extent to which compassionate care is being delivered, rather it was designed to select sites that demonstrated a readiness to try out and develop further compassionate, person-centred practices. The four wards identified as development sites are:

• Robert Ferguson Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (Neuro-rehabilitation, part of Edinburgh CHP)
• Craiglea Ward, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (Acute rehab, mental health, part of REAHS)
• Combined Assessment Area, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, (LUHD)
• Loanhead Hospital (Continuing care / palliative care, part of Midlothian CHP)

These sites have demonstrated a keen interest in developing compassionate, person- centred care within their areas and working with findings from the original Beacon Wards. Each of the development sites will be supported by one of the senior project nurses, and will participate in the leadership strand development (see leadership page) days and regular action learning sessions.