PATIENTS at Tiverton and Crediton hospitals are being checked to see if they are comfortable and safe at least once every hour as part of a new campaign launched by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

The trust is making the commitment to every patient in the acute North Devon District Hospital and the 17 community hospitals it manages across the county.

The RU OK? campaign is in line with David Cameron’s pledge for hourly rounds on wards as well as the 'six Cs' recently set out by England's chief nursing officer Jane Cummings – care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

Assistant director of nursing Bev Cox, who is leading the campaign, said: “We want to be the best we can possibly be for our patients, their families and carers, and are always looking at ways to improve.

“RU OK? is a pledge we make to all our patients. Our clinical teams will check they are comfortable and safe at least once every hour, and if any concerns or needs are identified they can be dealt with promptly.

“This proactive approach helps us maintain the highest levels of patient safety and ensure those in our care have the best possible experience.”

The scheme builds on comfort rounding, which is aimed at inpatients at a high risk of suffering a harm event such as a fall. Data collected through comfort rounding, RU OK? and matron walkrounds is collated by the trust and used by managers and clinical teams to gain feedback from patients and carers.

This supports them in providing the best possible patient-centred care.