Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Trust: Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

During Hypo Awareness Week 2024, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust adopted a pioneering, multidisciplinary strategy to raise awareness and enhance staff knowledge about hypoglycaemia management. Activities included:

  • Workshop: Prior to the campaign, the team delivered an interactive workshop on identifying and managing hypoglycaemia for World Patient Safety Day 2024.
  • Walking the wards: During the campaign, the Diabetes Specialist Nurses, Clinical Nurse Educators, Practice Development Nurses, Pharmacy team, and Simulation Technical Assistant came together to “walk the wards,” engaging staff across the hospital.
  • Educational platform: The team used the hospital’s educational Padlet platform to provide resources to 862 staff. This included posters, guides, and bite-sized learning tools.
  • Immersive tools: The team employed virtual reality goggles to give staff a simulated experience of hypoglycaemia, deepening their understanding of what patients endure. This tool was taken to clinical and outpatient areas, enabling engagement with hundreds of staff and patients each day.
  • Hypobox: The team relaunched their hypoboxes initiative, including an easy-to-use flowchart to simplify access to emergency hypoglycaemia management tools.
  • Internal communications: HAW24 was promoted on the intranet system using a dedicated flyer.
  • Public engagement: A stall at the entrance of Hull Royal Infirmary provided resources and opportunities to discuss hypoglycaemia with patients and staff.
  • Leadership support: Chief Nurse Amanda Stanford amplified the campaign’s visibility by highlighting it during her “Fabulous Friday” rounds, the “Ask the Chief Executive” meeting, and on LinkedIn.
  • Recognised success: The hospital received congratulations from the Centre of Diabetes Professional Education (CDEP) for having the most enrolments on their course during the week, reflecting the campaign’s impact and reach.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s innovative and inclusive approach to Hypo Awareness Week 2024 exemplifies how collaborative efforts can drive significant improvements in patient safety and staff education.