NHS Lanarkshire

You can find the ward from the Main Entrance by taking the second set of lifts/stairs to the 2nd floor. Ward 4 is a 22 bedded surgical ward caring for both male and female patients.

Our direct dial telephone number is 01236 712254

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

Senior Charge Nurse

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.

Nursing Staff

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

There is a doctor's ward round every day Monday to Friday and a Consultant is available over the weekend to see acutely ill patients. Please feel free to talk to any of the doctors on the ward if you have questions.

If either you or a relative would like to speak with a doctor in private, please discuss this with a member of nursing staff who can arrange this.

Other Staff

Other staff - You may see many other health professionals working together to care for you including physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists and so on.

Visiting

Visiting is welcome at the following times:

• 3pm-4pm: daily
• 7pm-8pm: every evening.

Visiting outwith these times is at the discretion of the nurse in charge and please also check before bringing children to the ward. 

Infection Control

We ask that both you and your visitors use the hand disinfectant (alcohol hand gel) which is available in every 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.
• Meal are served at approximately the following times:
  • Breakfast: from 8am
  • Lunch: from 12.30pm
  • Supper: from 5pm

  You will choose your meals each day from the selection on offer from the meal trolley. Please do not carry hot drinks around the ward.

• At each bedside there is a nurse call system.
• You will require night wear (and day clothes if you prefer) and a supply of toiletries. The lockers are small and therefore we would ask that you do not keep excessive amounts of clothing.
• Patientline is available at each bedside. This allows you to watch TV, listen to the radio and make or receive telephone calls. Cards are available to purchase at the entrance to the ward or the hospital main entrance.
• Each morning between 8am - 11am a trolley visits the ward selling items such as newspapers, magazines and snacks.

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 require to be restarted.
• You will be required to make arrangements for your own transport home. Please ensure that you have outdoor clothes and a set of house keys
• On the day of your discharge, we would ask you to be ready to leave the ward before 11.00am.
  If this is not possible or we are awaiting the arrival of your tablets, you may be asked to wait on the ward or hospital Discharge Lounge.

Stop Smoking Service

Since 1 August 2008, smoking has been banned in all NHS Lanarkshire grounds. It means people are no longer allowed to light up anywhere inside NHS Lanarkshire premises or within its grounds – including areas around hospital, clinic and health centre entrances, and in vehicles parked on NHS premises.

The revised policy reinforces NHS Lanarkshire’s aim of promoting and protecting the health of both the public and NHS staff.

If you want to give up smoking, call our helpline on 08452 17 77 07 or text ‘Advice’ to 81066.