MEMBERS of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS trust board are to play doctors and nurses with local community group representatives as part of a revolutionary training scheme.

Earlier this year, around 100 nurses took part in pilot schemes for the unique project Being with Patients, which used actors to act out real situations as reported by patients in Blackburn's hospitals.

Assessments were made about what was good and bad about the way the situation was handled and staff were advised how different actions might be more beneficial for the patient.

The idea of the scheme is to let medical staff understand how it feels to be a patient and how simple amendments to their bedside manner can make all the difference to good care. Now trust board members and representatives of the public have been invited to see how the training operates and take part in some 'scenes' themselves.

It is hoped Being with Patients, which is run in conjunction with CragRats Action Training, will be adopted by other NHS Trusts following the evaluation.

Brigid Reid, consultant nurse who came up with the scheme, said: "It shows nurses that what they take for granted is unknown to patients, especially because they are feeling vulnerable as they are away from their home.

"Hospital is not normal for them as they are in an alien place.

"This is about getting nurses to see how it is from a patient's experience and and understanding that how they behave in the smallest way is important.

"This is quite cutting edge and is a very important way that we can learn from people's experience of care."

Planning for the scheme included recruiting genuine patients to share their experiences, and two successful pilot sessions were funded through £40,000 from Cumbria and Lancashire Workforce Development Confederation.

Another three are planned for next year but additional funding must be secured if the scheme is to become a permanent fixture.

Brigid said: "This has the potential to go into other areas outside of Lancashire and to help other trusts. We are now looking at securing external funding."