At the Royal Free London, we are working hard to get our patients feeling better faster, by making sure that every day they spend in hospital is not wasted. We do this so that they can get back to the things that matter to them, sooner.

One of the ways we do this is by using the Red2Green approach along with other NHS providers which highlights wasted days in the patient’s journey as red, identifying the reasons for this, and putting in place plans to turn those ‘red’ days ‘green’.

Introducing Red2Green days is a very positive thing for us here at Barnet. We see it as a real opportunity to improve patient flow and it is a ‘catalyst for change’.

Lucinda Wessel
surgical matron

At Barnet Hospital, we even have a mascot named ReGGI to promote Red2Green across all our wards. The team at Barnet are rolling out the Red2Green approach across the hospital and are starting to see some positive results by focussing our thinking on placing even more value on our patients ’ time.

13 of our wards are now signed up to Red2Green and the positive feedback from patients and staff has been encouraging.

Liz Pollard, ward manager on Willow Ward said:

“We are now about four weeks into practising Red2Green days on Willow Ward.  I must admit I was a little hesitant at first, but it truly has been a simple and positive process to implement with much help, support and advice from Liz Francis. Staff tell me they feel it has benefitted both patients and themselves by keeping them focused on what their patients require to provide not just excellent care, but to get them home safely as soon as possible.  As a ward manager, I see the benefits of coordinating care within the whole MDT (multi-disciplinary team) which also saves a lot of man-hours and can see that issues get escalated earlier.  I feel that working together collaboratively, prioritises what needs to be achieved, improves communication, provides structure and ultimately gets the patient moving towards a prompt, timely discharge having delivered safe care. “

Lucinda Wessel, surgical matron said:

“Introducing Red2Green days is a very positive thing for us here at Barnet. We see it as a real opportunity to improve patient flow and it is a ‘catalyst for change’.”

If you want to know more about the work we are doing to improve our patients’ journey through our hospitals, follow us on Twitter or search #Red2Green.