Call 4 Concern | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board introduces a new patient safety initiative, Call 4 Concern

Patients or relatives and advocates of patients, who are in hospital at University Hospital of Wales, or University Hospital Llandough are now able to call for immediate help and advice if they are concerned about deterioration.

Call 4 Concern is a patient safety initiative that has been implemented in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and aligns with Martha’s Rule. The service enables families or patients to access the Patient at Risk Team if they have any concerns that the primary healthcare team involved in a patient’s care has not recognised or responded to the deterioration of a patient.

If a patient or their loved one has spoken with the ward-based team caring for the patient and still feel that they have immediate concerns, Call 4 Concern is available for families to exercise their right to an independent review if appropriate.

Families are likely to identify signs of deterioration or change in condition much quicker than healthcare professionals, and if this is the case, early intervention is important to ensure patients get the right healthcare support to improve outcomes.

Patients or their loved ones are encouraged to utilise Call 4 Concern if they have spoken with the team caring for the patient, and still feel concerned that action is not being taken to support the patient.

By contacting Call 4 Concern, a nurse practitioner from the Patient at Risk Team will be able to support by conducting a review of the patient and implement any appropriate action.

This team can be accessed by calling 07974 285294.