A TRANSFORMATION open day at Salisbury District Hospital (SDH) saw staff sharing ideas on how to make a difference over cost-saving initiatives.

Taking place in the canteen on Monday, the day was split into a range of drop-in sessions including opportunities to find out more about the incoming electronic patient records system and the chance to chat to the finance team about budgets.

Head of transformation Louise Arnett said: “We hold change days each year as part of the NHS Change Day but this is the first time we have held a transformation day raising awareness of the Save 7 campaign, for example, which began in February.

“The main aim is an opportunity to engage staff in the change programme. We spend a lot of time talking to teams out there working in theatres and wards around improvements but sometimes people don’t always know everything that’s going on, this event was to showcase what we are doing and give staff an opportunity to get involved if interested.”

The hospital’s Save 7 campaign was launched to raise awareness of its financial situation and to generate ideas to help. Its aim is for all small amounts of individual savings to add up, and if every member of staff saved £7 a week by reviewing and changing the way they work, the trust could save more than £1 million a year.

Ms Arnett said: “We have 41 Save 7 champions now and during the day 10 more people volunteered to be champions, including our first consultant, an orthopaedic surgeon.

“Staff suggested a lot more ideas as well – for example, doing more work to highlight equipment which may be considered disposable but which isn’t like lids used to keep food hot. Or holding a PJ amnesty – lots of linen goes home with patients who might not always feel comfortable bringing it back. We try to get a really good balance between quality, service and cost improvement.”

The hospital is also looking at developing the site as part of a wildlife corridor and introducing nature trails.

“We have lots of green areas and experts have been telling us there are lots of rare flowers – we are looking for volunteers - both staff and members of public to help us highlight some of the site’s best features to help patients and staff make the most of their surroundings.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the wildlife project can e-mail at louise.arnett@salisbury.nhs.uk.