On the ward


Questions or concerns

If you have questions, please talk to a nurse on your ward.

You can ask to speak to the Nurse in Charge if you have any issues or concerns about your care or treatment. They should be wearing a badge to identify themselves.

If you are in pain, please tell a nurse straight away.

Observations

At regular intervals based on clinical need, we take patients’

  • temperature
  • blood pressure
  • and any other observations, as needed.

Ward Rounds

A doctor will visit you at least once a day on weekdays.

There is always a doctor either on the ward or “on call” for medical emergencies and to review any active problems.

The wards rounds are the time when a doctor will talk with you about how you are feeling, the next steps in your care, and your readiness for discharge from hospital. It is good to start planning for discharge early on in your hospital stay.

You might find it helpful to write down the things you want to tell or ask a doctor – or please ask someone to help you do this. The doctor will answer any questions you have.

Medicines

All your medication will be stored in a locker next to your bed during your hospital stay.

We will ask you about medicines you normally take.

Please remember to tell us about all your tablets or treatments including inhalers, creams, patches, herbal or homeopathic medicines, and over the counter medications you take including vitamins, and nutritional supplements.  

Please make sure you tell us about any allergies you have.

Keep moving

When you are able, we will encourage you to wear day clothes, get out of bed and move around. Don’t worry about missing something, we will catch up with you.

This is part of our commitment to the ‘End PJ Paralysis’ campaign which aims to speed up recovery in hospital and prevent deconditioning (loss of physical strength, mental status, continence, and daily living skills which happens when people are inactive in hospital).

Did you know?
For every 10 days of bed rest in hospital, the equivalent of 10 years of muscle ageing occurs in adults.
and just one week of bed rest may result in a person being unable to stand up.

Chair

Visiting times
Visiting times may vary depending on the ward you are in, but they are normally from 1pm to 8pm daily. There may be a restriction on the number of visitors allowed at any one time. Visitors should check with ward reception.

If someone normally supports or cares for you at home and needs to visit more often or stay overnight to provide you with help and support, please ask ward staff to give the person a carers passport.

Carers passport

Staying in touch

Phone

You can stay in touch with your relatives or friends by phone or video call. 

If you need help with this, please ask the nurse looking after you.




Tell us how we are doing we'd love to have your opinion