Medicine for the elderly - G6

• Visiting times are 11:00 - 20:00 every day (two visitors per patient at any one time).
• 7 and 14 day car parking tickets are available from the pay station or the information point in the car park. These are cheaper for friends and family to buy if you will be staying in hospital that length of time.
• Flowers are permitted on the ward but need to be in a plastic vase.

To help us prevent the spread of any infections, all visitors should use the hand rub at the entrance to the ward on arrival and on leaving. Visitors may not sit or lie on the beds – there are chairs available in the day room. If you have any concerns about any aspects of the cleaning or food service please speak to the ward sister / charge nurse.

Please see most recent trust guideline on Covid visiting restrictions.

We ask that just one relative or friend is nominated as next of kin and only that person should normally communicate with the ward for updates - please ensure that nursing staff have your correct contact details.

This request is to help us protect patient confidentiality; ensure the accuracy of messages being received and passed on, and to make sure that nursing and medical staff spend as much time as possible looking after their patients.

Please confirm with us if you would wish to receive a night time call should your relative’s condition deteriorate – do not be alarmed if we ask you this, it is just in case.

If you would like to be involved in the personal care / feeding of your relative whilst they are in hospital, please discuss this with the nurse in charge.

It may not always be possible to speak to a doctor. Whilst they will try to update the nominated next of kin, an appointment may need to be made if you have specific or more detailed questions. You can speak to the ward clerk about arranging an appointment.

Please note that we are not permitted to give detailed medical information over the phone in accordance with confidentiality procedures.

In the first instance we hope our nursing team and junior medical team will be able to answer the majority of enquiries. We ask you to contact the ward after 2pm if you would like to get an update from the junior Medical team. If this is not the case and you wish to arrange to speak to Dr Mackett, Dr Keevil or Dr Hayhoe, please book an appointment via the secretary, Kara Doncaster, on 01223 217786.

• Protected meal times – breakfast 08:00, lunch 12:30 and dinner 17:00.
• We have a ‘missed meal’ service in place if needed (ask a member of staff).
• Food and drink brought to the ward must be labelled.
• There are regular drink rounds throughout the day.

Please keep your belongings to a minimum and store them in your bedside locker. For your own health and safety, please let a member of the ward staff know if you leave the ward at any time.

We encourage patients / friends not to bring anything valuable (financial or sentimental) onto the ward, as staff cannot be responsible for any losses.

If certain items do need to be brought in staff will need to be informed so they can complete or update your property form, and items will need to be labelled (e.g. glasses, dentures and hearing aids).

Patients may bring in any medication from home however please ensure medications in the original boxes. This will assist nursing and medical staff to make sure that there is an appropriate and consistent medication regime.

We encourage patients to bring in their own toiletries and clothes, as this can reduce any distress and promotes dignity. We are, however, unable to provide a laundering service.

• Please try not to interrupt the nursing staff while they are doing the 'drug round' or checking medicines.
• Please note that whilst you may not see your consultant every day, one of his team will see you every weekday.

Our philosophy is to try and enable you to return to your usual place of residence as soon as it is safe to do so. The process of planning your discharge begins from the time of your admission to hospital, and your ‘predicted discharge date’ will be adjusted according to your progress whilst you are in hospital. When you are medically fit, we will look to discharge you to an appropriate place, usually your own home, but sometimes to a rehabilitation environment.

We will always consult with you (the patient), and where appropriate your family or next of kin, when it seems necessary to consider starting or changing any social care or a discharge to a new environment, for example a care home.

You should be given a patient information leaflet about discharge titled ‘Preparing to leave hospital’ once you have arrived on the ward. If you have not been given this, please ask a member of staff.

Please ensure access to property on discharge is considered, along with arranging shopping and heating.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire on discharge, this is regarding the care you received on the ward and we value your feedback.

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and / or specialist one to one care is required.