PATIENTS at Okehampton Community Hospital are being questioned this month as part of the government's new Care Watch Campaign. The project, which is being organised by the Devon Patient and Public Involvement Forum, aims to assess whether patients' privacy and dignity is protected while they are in hospital — and is part of a nationwide campaign launched by Minister for Care Services Ivan Lewis last November. The forum is particularly concerned about the dignity of older hospitalised people. Chair of the North Devon and District PPI Committee Peter Yelland said: 'How you are treated in hospital makes a huge difference to the patient, their family and their carers. 'To be treated as an individual and not just as a medical condition can help promote recuperation. We hope by questioning patients and their carers we will be able to highlight what works and, sadly, what needs further attention.' The findings of the Okehampton survey will be published in late March. To find out more about the work of the PPI, or to join a forum, phone their helpline on 0845 1207111.
