Message boxes enhance patient-practitioner communication

To facilitate communication between patients and medical practitioners, North District Hospital has implemented a ‘leave a message’ programme. A comments box has been put in every ward through which patients and their relatives can make enquiries during the busy hours in the ward, and colleagues can give a quick response to patient's families. Messages are collected three times each day and are followed up by the staff on shift. The date of the message and the action taken is recorded. Handled messages are then chopped and passed to the ward manager for monthly collation and analysis by Central Nursing Division.