Patients and staff at Grimsby’s fracture clinic are benefiting from new dementia‑friendly and radio‑controlled clocks.
Funded by our charity – The Health Tree Foundation – after staff member Rachel Beckett put a wish in, the £350 investment has provided 12 radio‑controlled clocks for consultation rooms and two dementia clocks for waiting areas. The new clocks replace older ones that were often unreliable, with some showing incorrect times or requiring frequent battery changes.
The radio‑controlled clocks automatically synchronise with the atomic clock, ensuring consistent and accurate timekeeping across the department. This removes the need for staff to manually reset every clock during the twice‑yearly time changes, saving time and reducing disruption.
For staff, the improvement means a more efficient working environment, with reliable time displayed in every clinical and consultation space. In the past, teams often had to climb up to adjust clocks manually across multiple rooms, adding unnecessary pressure to busy clinics.
The introduction of dementia clocks in waiting areas also brings clear benefits for patients and visitors living with memory difficulties. By displaying the day, date and time in a clear and accessible format, they help patients stay orientated and reassured throughout their visit.
Rachel Beckett, Deputy Ward Manager at the Surgical Orthopaedic Outpatient Department, welcomed the upgrade and the difference it will make. She said: “For some time now, we’ve been making do with standard clocks that were often showing different times or not working at all. These new radio‑controlled clocks are a fantastic upgrade and will save us a great deal of time and hassle while keeping the whole department running on the same time.
“The dementia clocks in our waiting areas are another welcome addition. By clearly displaying the day, date and time, they help patients and visitors living with memory difficulties to stay orientated and reassured during their visit.” The improvement highlights how relatively small investments can have a significant impact, enhancing patient experience while supporting staff to deliver care more efficiently every day.