Hywel Dda Health Board shows the way!
New multilingual signs have been created for Hywel Dda Health Board to make it easier for people to find their way around.
The new symbolised, colour coded signs have recently been introduced at Withybush Hospital.
The signs have been developed with help from a group of adults with learning disabilities who are part of the Total Communication network, Siarad Iechyd/Talking Health members and the Community Health Council.
Lesley Jenkins, Acute Services Nurse Manager, said: “In hospitals symbols on signs are rare and we are the first hospital within Wales to have colour coded, symbolised signs which are easily noticed and multilingual.
“Finding your way around a hospital can be confusing and distressing and we wanted to improve the way finding system and make the hospital accessible for everyone.
“In addition about seven million adults in the UK (20% of the adult population) cannot read or understand simple instructions such as those found on medicine labels and we also knew from our work with people with learning disabilities that the use of symbols is an effective way of communicating.
“Having the input from service users was really useful and they all had a chance to have their say on the symbols used. Initial feedback has been positive and staff and patients saying the colour zones system significantly helps orientation to the site.
“We would like to say a big thank you to the patient, public and user engagement groups in this project who helped shape this exciting design innovation to improve the healthcare environment at our hospitals.”
Ryan Burt, Estates Officer, said: “People can get confused with all the written directional sign or don’t even bother looking at the signs as there’s too much literature on the walls, so using symbols for departments and coloured zoned areas is an easier way for everyone to find the departments.”
Service user, Simon Rice said: “If someone couldn’t understand the picture and writing then the colours would make sure they were in the right area of the hospital.”
The Health Board is now planning on introducing the signs at Bronglais Hospital before Glangwili and Prince Philip Hospitals.
The new symbolised, colour coded signs have recently been introduced at Withybush Hospital.
The signs have been developed with help from a group of adults with learning disabilities who are part of the Total Communication network, Siarad Iechyd/Talking Health members and the Community Health Council.
Lesley Jenkins, Acute Services Nurse Manager, said: “In hospitals symbols on signs are rare and we are the first hospital within Wales to have colour coded, symbolised signs which are easily noticed and multilingual.
“Finding your way around a hospital can be confusing and distressing and we wanted to improve the way finding system and make the hospital accessible for everyone.
“In addition about seven million adults in the UK (20% of the adult population) cannot read or understand simple instructions such as those found on medicine labels and we also knew from our work with people with learning disabilities that the use of symbols is an effective way of communicating.
“Having the input from service users was really useful and they all had a chance to have their say on the symbols used. Initial feedback has been positive and staff and patients saying the colour zones system significantly helps orientation to the site.
“We would like to say a big thank you to the patient, public and user engagement groups in this project who helped shape this exciting design innovation to improve the healthcare environment at our hospitals.”
Ryan Burt, Estates Officer, said: “People can get confused with all the written directional sign or don’t even bother looking at the signs as there’s too much literature on the walls, so using symbols for departments and coloured zoned areas is an easier way for everyone to find the departments.”
Service user, Simon Rice said: “If someone couldn’t understand the picture and writing then the colours would make sure they were in the right area of the hospital.”
The Health Board is now planning on introducing the signs at Bronglais Hospital before Glangwili and Prince Philip Hospitals.
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