Ward 20 - Mental Health

Ward 20 is situated on Ground level and is a 25 bedded acute mental health ward. We care for both male and female patients.

Our direct dial telephone number is 01355 585201

We would ask that if possible relatives/friends leave general telephone enquiries about patients until after 11am.

Most mornings are busy and this allows more time for nursing staff to assist patients with personal care and ward rounds to be completed.

It is also appreciated if only one member of your family telephones and acts as a coordinator, passing information to other relatives and friends.

Our Staff

The staff of this ward would like to welcome you. We appreciate that being in hospital can often be an anxious time for both you and you family and friends. We hope that this information about our ward will be of help.

If you do not understand what is happening to you or you have any worries or questions, please ask.

Nursing Staff

The Senior Charge Nurse (wearing a navy blue tunic) is responsible for all aspects of your care and should you or your family have any concerns or questions the Senior Charge Nurse will attempt to answer these.

All Senior Charge Nurses have undertaken additional training to ensure ward cleanliness and that all staff within the ward work to an expected standard.

The Senior Charge Nurse leads a team of qualified nurses (wearing Cornflour blue tunics) and clinical support workers (wearing pale sky blue tunics) who are trained to support the qualified nursing staff. In certain wards, specialist nurses will also contribute to your care.

Medical staff

The Ward Consultants and review times are:

Dr Devanney - Monday morning
Dr Roy - Monday afternoon
Dr Gunn - Wednesday morning
Dr Khan - Tuesday morning
Dr Pelosi - Friday morning

There are doctor’s reviews most days. A Consultant is available over the weekend to see acutely ill patients. We also hold multidisciplinary reviews once a week to discuss patient care and progress.

If you or your relatives would like to speak to a doctor this can be arranged by the nursing staff.

Other staff

You may see many other health professionals working together to care for you including physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists, speech and language therapists.

Visiting

The Ward visiting times are 3pm - 4pm and 7pm - 8pm every day.

However we are very flexible with our visiting hours so please feel free to discuss this with the nurse in charge. Please also check before bringing children to the ward.

Gifts to patients

Flowers are not allowed in Adult Critical Care or Coronary Care. Please check with nursing staff before leaving flowers, food, sweets, or soft drinks with patients. They may be on a restricted or special diet. Food for patients cannot be stored in the ward fridge or re-heated in the microwave.

Infection Control

We ask that both you and your visitors use the hand disinfectant (alcohol hand gel) which is available in every ward, as you enter the ward. We would also ask that your visitors use the chairs provided and do not sit on the bed. This is to reduce the risk of cross – infection.

For your comfort

Cameras and video equipment, including mobile phones, should not be used on the ward unless permission has been given by nursing staff
Meals are served at approximately the following times:

These meal times are protected and no visiting will be permitted during the above times.

Patients will select your own meals each day (for the following day) from a menu.

At each bedside there is a nurse call system.
You will require night wear and a supply of toiletries. We request that relatives provide outdoor clothing and suitable well fitting footwear to facilitate rehabilitation therapy (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and so on).
Televisions are available in some rooms and a trolley payphone is also available for your use.

Leaving the ward at the end of your stay

Please speak to the nursing staff as soon as possible if you have any questions or concerns about returning home or if you have any homecare services that need to be restarted.
You will need to make arrangements for your own transport home. Please ensure that you have outdoor clothes and a set of house keys.