Ward A5 is part of a regional neurosciences unit. We specialise in caring for patients who require surgery or treatment for conditions relating to the brain and spine. Welcome to the ward. We hope your stay will be comfortable. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions.
Directions and travel
For security, there is an intercom at the ward door.
Parking is restricted on the site, and we encourage visitors to use public transport.
Please follow the signs for visitors’ parking and enter the hospital by the main entrance. Here, there are drop-off only and disabled parking spaces.
If you are likely to be hospitalised for two weeks or more, your visitors can get a discounted parking ticket from the main reception. This allows you to exit from the car parks for 14 consecutive days from the day you validate the ticket
If you or your visiting relatives have any concerns, please discuss these with your nursing staff, ward sister or unit manager.
You can also discuss them with the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) staff, who can visit you on the ward
For non-clinical problems (for example, help with benefits or accommodation), we can arrange for a visit from a social worker and / or you can book to meet advisors from the information centre.
CUH Directions mobile app
The CUH Directions mobile app is for patients and visitors.
It helps you to find your way around Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, making it easier to locate clinics, wards and other facilities on our campus.
Drug rounds
Please try not to interrupt the nursing staff while they are doing the 'drug round' or checking medicines.
Doctor's ward rounds
You should see a member of your medical team every day. The timings of the visits may vary due to theatre commitments.
Discharge
Your staff will let you know in advance when you are likely to be discharged from the ward and will discuss with you how you will get home. There are strict criteria for hospital transport.
Privacy and dignity
We are committed to treating all patients with privacy and dignity in a safe, clean and comfortable environment. This means, with a few exceptions, we will care for you in same sex bays in wards with separate sanitary facilities for men and women. For your added privacy we would recommend that you bring in loose, comfortable clothing to change into.
Ward facilities
We have a day room for patients and visitors’ use, which has information about health issues and organisations associated with brain and spinal care.
At the ward entrance, there is a vending machine for Patientline cards (for bedside TV and telephone use). Post is delivered twice a day to the ward. Outgoing post can be placed in the out tray on the reception desk. Toilets on the wards are for the use of patients only. Toilets for visitors’ use are situated at the ward entrance.
Clothing and laundry
We encourage patients to wear daytime clothes when they feel able. We do not, however, have facilities to launder your clothes routinely. It is very helpful if relatives can take responsibility for this.
Who to contact for further advice / questions
You will have a Patientline phone by your bed, which enables you to phone in and out directly. Where possible, please encourage people to contact you on this phone (incoming calls are free to you).
It is very helpful if you appoint just one member of your family to make enquiries to staff about your progress – they can then pass on the information to others. If you or your relative wish to speak to your consultant or other medical staff, please ask for an appointment to be made.
Please call after 08:00 hours, the changeover of nursing staff will be complete by this time.
Staff and uniforms
- Divisional lead nurse – black
- Senior clinical nurse – black / red
- Senior sister – navy blue
- Junior charge nurse / junior sister – royal blue epaulette / royal blue
- Senior staff nurse / staff nurse – white with blue stripes
- Health care assistants – white with grey stripes
- Student nurses – grey and white
During your stay, you will be cared for by one of two nursing teams, led by a senior staff nurse. Nurses work three shifts:
Early (07:00 to 15:00)
Late (12:30 to 20:00)
Night (19:30 to 07:30)
During the overlap time, we hand over your care to the next team of staff. Your named nurse for the shift will come to see you briefly at the start of each shift. Clinical nurse practitioners also work with the consultants and can give you further advice and information about your care and treatment.
Housekeepers will bring you your meals and drinks and ensure the cleanliness of the ward.
Our ward clerk works Monday to Friday: 08:00 to 16:00 hours, and can help with general enquiries, make clinic appointments and book hospital transport.
Your doctor’s name will be written on the board behind your bed.
On your arrival
When you are first admitted, you will meet a member of the medical and nursing staff as soon as possible. If there is a short delay, please bear with us – we might be waiting for another patient to be discharged or be busy caring for other patients.
Visiting hours
You may visit from 11:00 to 20:00 hours. Requests to visit at other times should be discussed with the nurse in charge.
Up to two visitors only are allowed at each bedside at any time. Children may visit at the discretion of the nurse in charge and must be strictly supervised by a parent or guardian. When you have visitors, please be considerate of other patients who may be feeling very unwell; a lot of noise or commotion may prevent them from resting.
Visitors can also meet you or wait in the ward’s day room. If you are well enough, they can take you out of the ward for a change of scene but please check with a member of staff first.
Visitors are kindly requested not to sit on the patient’s bed.
Because space is limited and to reduce infection, we do not allow cut flowers on the ward. Any flowers delivered will be placed in the day room.
To help us prevent the spread of any infections, please ask visitors to use the hand rub at the entrance to the ward on arrival and on leaving.
Current visiting policy
Restricted visiting will be permitted on most wards and areas such as our Emergency Department. Please follow our guidance to find our more information as some areas do still have restrictions.
If you are likely to be hospitalised for two weeks or more, your visitors can get a discounted parking ticket from the main reception. This allows you to exit from the car parks for 14 consecutive days from the day you validate the ticket.
Infection control
Addenbrooke’s has a number advice leaflets for patients and their visitors about infection control.
If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact PALS on 01223 216756 or extension 2756.
Food and drink
We will bring you three meals each day (breakfast, lunch and supper) and hot drinks at intervals. When you arrive, we will explain how this works and will ask you if you have any special requirements. Please check with nursing staff before you consume any food or drink that has been brought in for you or purchased in the hospital.
We are unable to microwave food for patients due to health and safety regulations.