NURSES, midwives and staff working at hospitals in Worcestershire faced their own Dragon’s Den as part of an international celebration of healthcare workers.

As part of International Nurses Day on Monday, May 12 and International Day of the Midwife a week earlier, staff from Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital and Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital were invited to pitch their ideas for improving care to a board of executives.

The dragons backed six ideas including setting up ‘reminiscence pods’, to create a therapeutic and calming space for elderly patients with dementia and more investment in equipment to reduce falls.

The winning pitches were all based on the national six C campaign, encouraging staff to deliver care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment in every day practice.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Penny Venables said she and the three other dragons were impressed by the ideas put forward by staff.

“It was great to have this opportunity to really listen to staff on the ground and hear their ideas for improving the care and compassion we show to our patients,” she said.

“We will now look at how we can pilot these projects across the trust.”