Bristol tech entrepreneur Ian Johnson, who owns Clifton Observatory, has donated more than £100,000 to city hospital charity Above & Beyond to help fund an innovative project to reduce patient anxiety in the emergency department of Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI).
The BRI’s adult emergency department has been fitted with specially designed information boards that guide patients through the process of triage, treatment and discharge. 
The boards, pictured below, are the result of a national project led by the Department of Health in collaboration with the Design Council and are aimed at improving patient experience.
The department has also been completely redecorated, with artwork lining corridors and cubicles painted in dementia-friendly colours, creating a calmer environment for staff as well as patients.
Information screens with live waiting times and ambulance arrival data will be installed in the waiting room as the final stage of the project.
BRI emergency department consultant nurse Dr Becky Hoskins said: “The impact of the information boards has been immediate. We’ve already noticed a substantial reduction in bad language and aggressive behaviour towards staff, making for a much calmer environment in which to work and a better atmosphere overall.”
Ian Johnson, pictured above, who was referred to Above & Beyond by hospital staff, added: “I approached Above & Beyond to understand where my support could have the greatest impact and we worked together on identifying projects that could really improve the hospital experience for both patients and staff.
“It’s fantastic to see the improvements to the emergency department and a pleasure to be involved with Above & Beyond to support the work it does across the hospitals.” 
As well as the emergency department refurbishment and information system, the donation has contributed to the provision of state-of-the-art equipment in the BRI adult Intensive Care Unit, which includes a syringe docking station that provides greater accuracy in the administration of multiple medications and saves valuable staff time.
The work was carried out as part of Above & Beyond’s ambitious Golden Gift Appeal, a campaign that raised £6m to transform the BRI and Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre. The appeal has also funded the refurbishment of the emergency department relatives’ room, creating a calmer and better equipped space with a corner sofa, toys, and lively artwork on the walls to help families stay together at what can be a very distressing time.
For more about the Golden Gift Appeal and to download its impact report visit www.aboveandbeyond.orguk/golden-gift-appeal
To find out how you can support your Bristol city centre hospitals by donating, fundraising or volunteering, go to www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk/how-you-can-help
Emergency department information boards photo courtesy of Chas Breton
