Patient voices shape future at breast reconstruction listening event
Back in October, UHP teamed up with The Primrose Foundation to host an event at Plymouth’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, dedicated to hearing and learning from experiences of patients who have undergone abdominal free flap breast reconstruction.
Led by Consultant Plastic Surgeon John Dickson and his team, as well as staff from The Primrose Foundation, who funded the event, it marked a significant step forward in our commitment to patient-centred care at UHP.
A free flap reconstruction involves a surgeon taking a flap of tissue from another part of the body, removing it from its blood supply and moving it to the chest. It is then connected to a new blood supply. Most breast reconstructions using tissue from the tummy are free flap reconstructions as well as reconstructions using tissue from the buttock or thigh.
There are advantages to a free flap reconstruction such as, creating a more natural shape, movement and feel to the reconstructed breast as well as constructing a breast with a more natural droop. It is suitable for all breast shapes, so patients can usually avoid having an implant. The reconstructed breast will change as the body changes over time, so it is more likely to look like the other breast. It can also mean there may be less likelihood of needing maintenance breast surgery in the future.
This event was the first of its kind for the Trust, inviting patients to share their journeys with members of the Patient Experience team and tell us about their treatment and experiences. Becky Baines, Patient Experience and Engagement Lead, emphasised the importance of this initiative in fostering open dialogue and feedback, saying, “Hosting this event has been a valuable and inspiring experience. It provided an opportunity to celebrate best practices, engage in meaningful dialogue and learn directly from patients about what truly matters to them.
“Events like this highlight the importance of listening and responding to feedback, ensuring continuous improvement while fostering a collaborative and compassionate approach to care. It is only by working together that we can truly acheive patient centred care.”
Mr John Dickinson, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Primrose Foundation Trustee, is due to give a formal update on the outcomes from this event at Easter. The insights gained will be invaluable to inform our practices and hopefully be shared in presentations and conference posters, with the potential to contribute to national patient experience awards.
Guests were treated to tea, coffee, and pastries while taking part in dicussions about abdominal free flap breast reconstruction. Participants then broke into focus groups, exploring key topics such as, their personal experiences from waiting room through to treatment on the ward, and evaluating the support they received in their decision making for surgery. They also discussed the psychological well-being support they received and what areas could be improved in relation to Clinical Nurse Specialists. In addition there was time for open feedback to provide addtional thoughts and suggestions.
The discussions ended with an exercise which saw each patient answer questions such as: “If I had one improvement wish for the service, it would be” and, “what mattered the most to me?” These reflections were shared on boards using scratch-off rainbow cards, creating a display, showing a range of ideas which could be used to enhance existing services.
Following lunch clinical staff held an afternoon session which delved into the feedback received.
Based on the responses, staff proposed key measures to improve the patient experience, focussing on:
- Improving the ward experience through offering shared learning for staff members and training opportunities
- Improving ambience and experience by redecorating a room on the ward to support patients as they recover
- Enhancing patient experience when coming through to the waiting room before surgery
- Optimising the preparation of paperwork for discharge, streamlining and enhancing the proces.
- Improving the profile and awarness of the charity with better signposting.
- Exploring ways to offer pre-rehabilitation for patients, to optimise them better for surgery
- By facilitating this collaborative effort, UHP aims to actively work towards meaningful improvements for our services, rooted in the voices of people who have been through the experience themselves.
Both UHP and The Primrose Foundation are incredibly grateful to all the patients who attended and shared their insights. Their experiences will play a crucial role in shaping the future services while continuing to foster a culture of listening and learning at our Trust.
