A spirit of collaboration and compassion is flourishing at Witrand Hospital, thanks to the innovative Taking HANDS community engagement project led by the Presence team of the North-West University (NWU) School of Nursing and NuMIQ research focus area. This inspiring initiative is transforming the hospital environment, fostering unity among staff, students and patients, and setting a new standard for quality care.
At its heart, Taking HANDS aims to improve collaboration between the NWU and Witrand Hospital to address challenges in quality of care. The slogan of the project, “Growing together, hand in hand,” perfectly captures its ethos.
HANDS stands for harmonise (building relationships and unity), accept (embracing diversity and inclusivity), nurture and network (fostering growth and building connections), dream (exploring abilities and potential), and support (creating a caring and encouraging environment).
Taking HANDS is a shining example of multi-disciplinary collaboration. Faculty members from various NWU schools, including the new medical school regularly engage in both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary conversations with hospital staff. These dialogues help to identify mutual needs, strengthen professional networks and drive action plans focused on therapeutic programmes, in-service training and ongoing needs assessments, particularly around staff wellness and patient health.
NWU students play a pivotal role, visiting the hospital weekly to participate in sensory stimulation activities alongside the nursing team at the Activity Centre. Nursing, pharmacy, social work and psychology students all gain hands-on experience through work-integrated learning placements. Nursing students in particular facilitate group sessions with patients, while plans are underway to further expand student involvement across disciplines, to also include physiology, occupational hygiene, dietetics and kinderkinetics students.
The therapeutic programmes are as diverse as they are impactful. Patients participate in arts and crafts, baking, outdoor games, storyboards, cutting, pasting, colouring and singing. Daily living activities like brushing teeth and communication exercises are also included. For bedridden patients, individual sessions feature playful activities like blowing soap bubbles and introducing different textures and tastes, ensuring every patient is engaged and supported.
The partnership between the NWU and Witrand Hospital has been a source of motivation for hospital staff, who feel recognised and energised by the collaboration. This renewed enthusiasm translates into more creative and compassionate patient care. Feedback from staff highlights their gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate, while patients show their appreciation with smiles and hugs. Improvements in patients’ motor skills, daily living activities and communication abilities are clear evidence of the success of the project.
Taking HANDS received an enthusiastic response at the 2024 Community Engagement Showcase and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Research Day. The project’s stall attracted many visitors, including Prof Bismark Tyobeka and guest speaker Dr Margaret Irvine, who has since joined the Presence Forum – a network of academics and clinical partners dedicated to relational care.
With a formal memorandum of understanding in place and strong support from hospital management, Taking HANDS continues to strengthen the relationship of the NWU with Witrand Hospital. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when universities and healthcare institutions join forces, truly growing together, hand in hand.
Taking HANDS received an enthusiastic response at the 2024 Community Engagement Showcase and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Research Day.
