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. This information is designed to accompany the hospital 'Inpatient information' booklet. If you do not have a copy, please ask a member of staff.
The Senior charge nurse is Pamela Buddy.
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.
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.
Stop Smoking Service
There is a ‘Stop Smoking’ service available within the hospital – please feel free to speak to a member of staff for further details.
Ward Information
Ward 20 is a 24 bedded general children’s ward and is situated on level 2.
Our direct dial telephone number is:
01698 366200
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
Nursing Staff - The Senior Charge Nurse leads a team of qualified nurses (wearing white tunics with blue trim) and clinical support workers (wearing white tunics) who are trained to support the qualified nursing staff. In certain wards, specialist nurses will also contribute to your care.
Medical staff – You will have a Consultant in charge of your care, who has a team of medical staff to plan 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 you would like to speak with a doctor in private, this can be arranged through nursing staff. If your relatives would like to speak to a Consultant this can be arranged through the Consultant’s secretary.
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:
- 2pm – 4.30pm: daily
- 6pm – 7.30pm: 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. Strictly 2 – 3 visitors per bedside please. Parents may visit at any time.
For your comfort
Meal are served at approximately the following times:
- Cameras and video equipment, including mobile phones, should not be used on the ward unless permission has been given by nursing staff
- Breakfast - from 8am
- Lunch - from 12.30pm
- Supper - from 5pm
You will select your childs meals each day (for the following day) from a menu. NO HOT DRINKS ALLOWED IN UNIT.
- At each bedside there is a nurse call system.
- You child 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.
- We have a Parents Sitting Room with a television and trolley payphone 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 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 in our Day Room or hospital Discharge Lounge.