By Gillian Ellison

Published at 11:09, Thursday, 31 March 2011

CHECKING in at West Cumberland Hospital will soon be a lot easier and quicker for hundreds of patients, with the introduction of self-service check-in kiosks.

HELP AT HAND: Department manager Crea Simpson and Stan Lightfoot, chair of the patient panel, help Sheila Briggs from Cleator Moor to register

They are being installed in the main outpatients department for a trial period from April 4 in a bid to improve check-in processes and the quality of patient information held by North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.

As well as enabling patients to check in for appointments without having to queue to speak to a receptionist, the kiosks will allow patients to update their contact details and personal data with greater privacy, say health chiefs.

The system also notifies outpatient staff of patient arrivals and directs patients to the appropriate waiting area.

Outpatients was chosen for the pilot as it is the first point of contact with the Trust for many patients.

The check-in kiosks can also be used by those with speech, visual and hearing impairments and also offer multi-language support.

They are simple to use and, during the initial period, volunteers will be on hand to answer any queries and offer assistance. A clinic co-ordinator will still be available for those who do not wish to use a kiosk.

Outpatient staff, clinicians and the Trust’s patient panels have been involved in discussions on the implementation of the project.

Margaret Bailey, vice-chair of the West Cumberland Hospital Patient Panel, said: “The kiosks are really easy to use. Step-by-step instructions take you through each stage of checking in and you just enter your details on the touch screen. You can only read what is on the screen if you are standing right over it so it is very private.

“The Patient Panel members hope the new system will make checking in quicker and easier for patients. It is reassuring to hear that there will always be a receptionist available for any patient who needs help.”

The new system will be closely monitored over several months so that the expected improvements in efficiency, quality and patient experience can be demonstrated before deciding whether to roll out the system across all outpatient areas.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk