London hospital launches 'nurse in charge' badges

Nurses in charge on wards at a London hospital will wear badges to enable patients to spot them easily.

The senior nurse on every shift at Whipps Cross University Hospital will wear a distinctive red badge that identifies them as being in charge. 

Andy Daly, associate director of nursing at the hospital, which is run by Barts Health NHS Trust, said patients and visitors had reported being unable to identify ward leaders.

He explained: ‘This badge is a quick and simple solution, and is already being welcomed by staff and patients.’

This is part of a series of measures to improve care at Whipps Cross, after the Care Quality Commission raised concerns in March that led to Barts Health being placed in special measures. 

The trust has trained 40 doctors and nurses to be ‘safety champions’ and is aiming to recruit 500 more nurses and midwives. It is also using ‘safety huddles’ to ensure staff speak up and act on any concerns they have.

A full report on the trust’s progress since the CQC report can be read here.