Valuables

Welcome to ward ? Ward will be highlighted Leighton Hospital Middlewich Road Crewe Cheshire CW1 4QJ www.mcht.nhs.uk DIRECT LINE: 01270 61……… 01270 27………. (check which is yours) Printed date: Review date: Ref: Welcome Ward has beds. Our aim is to provide high quality care for all our patients and endeavour to support you and your family throughout your stay. Contacting the Ward– direct dial 01270 61/27….. This is a 24 hour telephone line. If your relatives are concerned about you we would appreciate it if one person could be nominated to telephone and pass information on as this allows the nursing staff more time to care for the patients. Please also be aware that due to confidentiality laws we are limited to how much information we can give over the telephone. If you are unable to visit a password can be set up for you. Mixed Bays (only applies to Medical Decisions and emergency assessment bays) In order to admit patients promptly in an emergency it may be necessary to have male and female patients in the same bay for a short period of time. We avoid this wherever we can and apologise if this happens. We move patients out of mixed bays as soon as possible. Consultants Consultants are ………………………………………………. You will be seen on a daily basis during the week by them or a member of their team. If you are admitted between Friday and Sunday you will be reviewed by a member of the on-call team. Ward Rounds vary depending on the consultant. Please do not hesitate to ask the staff on the ward which day your consultant visits. If you would like an appointment with the consultant or a member of his team please contact the relevant secretary. You can also request someone from your family to be present at the meeting. The Nursing Team A member of nursing will introduce him/herself to you when you are admitted. You can identify the nursing staff by the colour of their tunics as follows:Navy/White spot Matrons Navy Blue Ward Manager and Ward Sisters Royal Blue Staff Nurses Pale Blue Health Care Assistants Grey Student Nurses Burgundy Ward Clerks If you have any questions, please feel free to write them down here so you don’t forget. Ward Housekeeper The patient centred role of the Ward Housekeeper ensures the delivery of all non-clinical services. The Housekeeper acts as a link person between facilities and nursing to ensure that you are cared for in a well-maintained environment, which is safe, welcoming, comfortable and reassuring. The Housekeeper will be happy to help with any enquiries, assistance with menu‟s, linen, ward cleanliness. If you experience any problems whilst on the ward please do not hesitate to speak the Housekeeper or inform a member of the nursing team that you wish to see the housekeeper. Discharge Planning Assistant This is a new role which centres on care needs for patients when they go home. If you feel you may need support on discharge when you leave hospital please ask to see them. General Information We encourage relatives to be involved in the planning and implementation of your care. Please ask your family if they wish to assist. If you feel well enough you can get dressed during the day. The Trust has an „Information for Inpatients‟ guide which given to all patients on admission and is available on each ward and on the internet www.mcht.nhs.uk (also in large print and audio). Car Parking – Pay Cards for Public Issue of Concessionary Pass Card A £5 concessionary pass card is available for regular visitors wishing to park their vehicles on site. Each card is valid for a period of up to 7 days and can be used for multiple visits each day. The passes can be obtained from the Security Office (opposite Ward 1). Please ask at the Wards Nurse Station for further information or visit the Security Office. On entry and exit the card will be inserted into the machine at the barrier, which will lift automatically. The ticket will then be returned to the person for further use until the date expires. Toiletries – please remember to bring in your toiletries, nightwear, slippers and footwear. Daywear – is encouraged on Ward …. as you are almost ready to go home and should be getting back onto a routine. Electrical Items – Any electrical item brought in for use in hospital must be checked for safety by the hospital Estates department. A member of the ward staff can request this and the item will be checked as soon as possible but cannot be used on the ward until this has been done. Special Needs – Wheelchairs and portering assistance are available. There is no central facility to charge wheelchairs but you can charge your own battery once it has been checked by the Estates Department. Chaplains Please ask a member of staff if you would like a visit from one of the hospital chaplains. Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is here to help you if you experience any problems or have any concerns whilst using the services. We will listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries and provide “on the spot” information, advice and support with the aim of resolving any problems or difficulties that you experience quickly and effectively. We will liaise with staff, managers and other health and social care organisations on your behalf to resolve your concerns. We can offer advice on the complaints process and provide information on how to seek independent advice if you wish to make a complaint. We can also provide information on local NHS services. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service is situated in the Main entrance reception area at Leighton Hospital. The office is staffed from 9am – 5pm. You can call into the office, telephone, email or write to us. Your contact is Patient Advice and Liaison Service Officers. Tel: 01270 612410 (24 hour answer machine) Email: PALS@mcht.nhs.uk Discharge Planning Social Services Please speak to the nursing staff as soon after admission as possible if you feel a social service‟s referral would be of benefit in order to plan your discharge. On your admission you will be given “Planning to Leave Hospital” leaflet, which explains the different services you may require and the arrangements that can be made for your care when you leave hospital. Transfer to Another Ward On occasions it may be necessary to move patients to another ward in order to admit poorly patients in accident and emergency awaiting a bed. We try to avoid asking patients to move wherever possible. Medical Discharge Lounge When you are ready to be discharged from the unit or hospital you may be asked to wait for medication or transport home in the Medical Discharge Lounge. Ward staff will keep you and your relatives informed if you are transferred to the lounge. Colour Coded Aprons We use a variety of different coloured aprons on the ward all relating to the different activities carried out by nursing staff. Blue – serving meals and beverages Green – clean table tasks – dressings being changed etc Yellow – for infected areas White – general duties – washing patients Red – drugs round Red Apron – in order to promote best practice, if you see a nurse wearing a red apron please do not approach them unless it is specifically relating to the drugs being administered, or in the case of an emergency. To ensure you receive the full attention you deserve please approach another member of staff. Communication is vital to us all. We want to offer you our individual attention. However, nurses require 100% concentration when administering drugs. Visitors should follow the same hand hygiene guidelines as listed for patients but it is likely that their hands won‟t be visibly dirty so using alcohol hand rub should be all that is required unless the person they are visiting has an infection. Hand hygiene stations are points where alcohol hand rub is dispensed from a wall mounted container. These are located at the entrance to all wards for the convenience of visitors entering and leaving. If visitors are in any doubt, they must ask the nurse in charge of the ward whether to wash hands with soap and water, or to use alcohol gel. Trust Policies The Trust operates a Smoke – Free Sites procedure, which applies to all staff, patients, visitors and contractors. This means that smoking is not permitted in buildings or the grounds of any site owned by the Trust and includes the interior of cars whilst parked on Trust land. Go Smoke Free For advice, help and support to stop smoking contact your Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor Pam Thomas on: 01270 612351, from Leighton Hospital internal Ext 2351 or Mobile: 07796 611 514 available from Monday to Friday. Pam offers one to one support to patients at out-patients clinics, Pre-operative assessment clinics or as an inpatient. Zero tolerance policy – in the interests of patients, firm action will be taken against anyone who attempts to behave illegally on Trust premises. Fire Alarm – fire alarm testing takes place every Wednesday at Leighton. Mobile Phones – Policy under review. The use of mobile phones continue not to be permitted on wards. Patientline - Electronic Bedside System An electronic bedside entertainment system is available and includes a telephone and television. There will be a charge for some services. Hand Hygiene Hands may look clean but invisible germs are always present, some harmful, some not. Removal of germs is an important factor in preventing infection both at home and in hospital. These germs are often passed from one person to another by physical contact so it‟s important that patients, visitors and all staff attempt to reduce the risk of spreading infections by regularly washing their hands. Staff may also use an alcohol hand rub for cleansing their hands. Handwashing is especially important:  Before eating (both snacks and meals) - hand wipes are available  After using the toilet, bathroom or commode  Whenever your hands look or feel dirty It is important to remember if you have wound dressings, stitches or catheters try not to touch them anymore than is necessary. Visitors should follow the same hand hygiene guidelines as listed for patients and use the hand gel dispensers located at the entrance or wash their hands with soap and water especially if they are visiting a friend or relative with diarrhoea and vomiting or another type of infection. Can we ask any member of staff “Have you washed your hands? Ward staff won‟t be offended if you ask them whether they have washed or cleansed their hands with an alcohol hand rub. Feel free to ask this question of your doctor, nurse or other carer. e.g. physiotherapist, or occupational therapist) who is about to care for you or examine you. This may be on the ward or anywhere else in the hospital, e.g. x-ray. Alcohol gel will be placed at the end of your bed for staff to use before they care for you. Valuables If at all possible please send any valuables home with your relatives. If this is not possible, it is advisable that you hand in any valuables and sums of money over £10 for safe-keeping. Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust cannot be held responsible for any missing valuables not deposited in the safe. Please be aware that money returned to you will be in the form of a cheque. Visiting Please ask a member of staff for the unit‟s visiting times or see local press To help with Infection Control Issues we request: Only 2 visitors at any time for each patient and that visitors DO NOT sit on beds Meal Times If you need assistance at a meal time, please inform the nurse in charge of your care. We welcome help from your family or carer. Please speak to the nurse in charge. No other visitors at meal times. Breakfast approximately 7.30 a.m. Lunch approximately 12.15 p.m. Evening Meal approximately 5.30 p.m. If you experience any problems with your meal please speak to a member of staff. You will be offered a choice of a hot meal or sandwiches and a dessert either yoghurt or fruit. Water is provided on your arrival and is always available. Hot drinks are available 08.00, 10.30, 12.00, 20.00. Medication 08.00, 12.00, 17.00 and 22.00 Shift Change 07.20, 13.45 and 21.25