The Emergency Care Unit is a 36 bedded emergency admission ward where patients with an emergency medical condition are admitted for assessment and investigation.
Our direct dial telephone number is: 01698 366480
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
Ward Manager
The Ward Manager (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 Ward Manager will attempt to answer these.
All Ward Managers have undertaken additional training to ensure ward cleanliness and that all staff within the ward work to an expected standard.
Nursing Staff
The Ward Manager leads a team of qualified nurses (wearing cornflower blue tunics) and clinical support workers (wearing pale sky blue tunics) who are trained to support the qualified nursing staff.
The Emergency Care Unit also has advanced Nurse Practitioners with advanced skills to assist with the assessment of your condition.
Medical staff
On admission you will be assessed by nursing and medical staff. They will take a history of your complaint and carry out a clinical examination. Further investigations may be required and you will be kept informed of the care plan.
The consultants ward round will take place at approximately 0900 hours and 1700 hours.
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 welcomed 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. We would advise you not to bring babies into 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
- Meal are served at approximately the following times:
- Breakfast: from 7:45 am
- Lunch: from 12 noon
- Supper: from 4:30 pm
- At each bedside there is a nurse call system.
- You will require night wear (and day clothes if you prefer) nd a supply of toiletries. The lockers are small and therefore we would ask that you do not keep excessive amounts of clothing. Please do not keep large sums or money or valuables during your stay.
- There are televisions available in each room.
- A trolley payphone is available.
- Each morning a trolley visits the ward selling items such as newspapers, magazines and snacks.
Transfer and discharge information
- Following assessment and review by a consultant you may be transferred to a speciality or general medical ward (depending on bed availability) or discharged home following investigations and treatment .
- If you are to be discharged from the Emergency Care Unit, we would ask you to be ready to leave the ward before 10.00am. This is to ensure we have vacant beds available for the Emergency admissions that are expected that day.
- 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 which is based in ward 10. You will be required to make arrangements for your own transport home.
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.