A NATIONAL day of action calling for health staff to make a ‘pledge’ to their patients is to be held across the Morecambe Bay hospital trust.

‘NHS Change Day’ will be held on Monday across the UK, encouraging health workers to make a promise about their dedication to their jobs - and bosses at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust are hoping 1,000 members of staff will take part.

“I will pledge that every month I will put my uniform on and help out where I am needed to make a difference to our patients,” said Sue Smith, executive chief nurse for the trust, who got the ball rolling.

“That may be making beds on a ward, providing drinks to our patients or carrying out other nursing duties – whatever needs doing I will support our staff.”

However, she explained that NHS Change Day is ‘more than just a pledge for one day’.

“It is about ensuring that we adopt the highest standards of care and quality across our organisation for the benefit of patients.

“Our nursing staff will be promoting harm free care and focussing on pressure ulcers and ensuring that staff across the Trust do all they can to ensure that we stop them for occurring.

“And all our staff can make a difference as well.

“Our receptionists can make a difference each time they meet a patient, our cleaners can make a difference by ensuring our hospitals are clean, and our catering teams make a difference by ensuring our food is tasty, nutritious and presented well.”

Staff across the trust from nurses, doctors to caterers and porters will be asked to make a pledge outlining how they will ensure the highest standards of safety and quality for patients.

Nurse cadets will help out on the day by visiting wards and departments asking for staff promises.

Stands will also be put up at Westmorland General Hospital, Furness General Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary for staff and the public to fill in a ‘pledge card’.

“While NHS Change Day is just one day, we want to build better care for our patients together – ensuring we deliver safe and quality care at whatever level in the organisation we are,” continued Nurse Smith.

“The pledges will be on display at all main sites across the organisation and we will ensure that the pledges we make are not just for NHS Change Day, but the start of a change in our NHS.”