New patient experience and community involvement hub opens at Dorset County Hospital

A new patient experience and community involvement hub has opened at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

The HIVE (Health and Wellbeing, Information, Volunteering and Engagement) will offer a welcoming space for patients and families to provide feedback about their experience, raise any concerns, and be signposted to various support services available in Dorset.

Overseen by the Patient Experience team, The HIVE will offer a space to promote hospital initiatives, such as the volunteer service, and be a used by local organisations for drop-in information events. Examples of planned activity include carer support information, armed forces community engagement, Trust Governor surgeries and membership recruitment, NHS Dorset events and Dorset Council digital champion sessions.

The DCH Charity will also be using the space as a ‘front facing door’ to the community to promote and encourage fundraising activity.

The HIVE was officially opened by well-known journalist and author Kate Adie.

DCH Chief Executive Matthew Bryant said: “The HIVE will provide numerous benefits to staff and patients as well as organisations across Dorset.

“We hope this space further improves patient and carer experience and allows us to work more closely with partners across the county.

“I know a lot of hard work has gone into transforming this space and the teams involved in this work should be very proud.”

Kate, who is also the Patron of the DCH Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care appeal, added: “As a passionate supporter of the hospital, I was delighted to be invited to open The HIVE. It’s wonderful to see such a fantastic space that will further support patients and their loved ones at times of stress and anxiety.”

The hub was funded by the DCH Charity and gave opportunity for the hospital to repurpose the old Friends of DCH shop, located in South Wing, Level 1. It will be open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.