Coming into Hospital
We hope that your stay in The Strathclyde Suite will be as comfortable as possible. Our staff are committed to caring for you efficiently and politely and we ask that you treat them considerately. If you are uncertain or unhappy about what is happening to you, please ask for help. We are here to look after you. This section has been written to give you information which you may find helpful about your stay in hospital.
What you will need in hospital
While you are in hospital you will need:
- Change of night clothes/day clothing
- Dressing gown
- Slippers/footwear
- Toiletries
- Books, magazines
Within the Continuing Care Wards (1 & 2) it is normal practice to send clothing to the hospital laundry which is available to long term care patients. Items should be given to staff who will ensure that labels are attached with the patient’s name and ward number. If home washing is requested, please make this clear to staff.
Telephone Enquiries
The telephone number for the Stathclyde Suite is 01698 357226. Only limited information is given to close relatives over the telephone. If further information is required you will have to come to the Strathclyde Suite to see either the nursing staff or a doctor.
Money and Valuables
Do not keep large sums of money, jewellery or other valuables with you. We cannot be responsible if you lose any of your belongings. If you have to keep items of value please give them to ward staff immediately. They will give you a receipt and keep them safe for you until you ask for them to be returned. For patients within the Continuing Care Wards, hospital administration staff will attend to pension books and affairs. We suggest that the sum of £15 be kept for emergency requirements and may be held at ward level. We will issue a receipt and keep a record of its use.
On the ward
When you arrive at the ward we will settle you in and make sure that you are comfortable. We will show you the facilities in the ward and answer any questions which you have about your stay as fully as possible. We will give you information to help you understand what is happening to you, and ensure you are involved in decisions that may need to be made about your care. Please ask for more details if you are unsure about anything. We respect your personal preferences and your religious or cultural requirements, and will do our best to accommodate them whenever possible.
Staff
All staff wear identity badges which will help you to identify the different people involved in your care. The following information may help you to identify some of the people you will see on the wards.
Medical Staff
The senior doctor in charge of your care is the Consultant. A team of more junior doctors will also be involved in your care. Every patient has a named Consultant who visits the ward weekly. Medical staff from Wishaw General Hospital and Motherwell Health Centre will carry out day to day treatment.
Nursing Staff/Named Nurse
The nurse in charge of the ward is called the Charge Nurse/sister. Other trained nurses include Staff Nurses. A Staff Nurse will beallocated as your Named Nurse and will be responsible for planning and organising your care, with the assistance of their team of Associate Nurses. We also have Clinical Support Workers in each ward who assist with various aspects of your care.
- Charge Nurse/sister wears: Royal blue tunic, white trim; navy trousers
- Staff Nurse wears: Pale blue tunic, white trim; navy trousers
- Clinical Support Workers wear: Lilac tunic, navy trim; navy trousers
Other Staff
There are many other members of staff who may visit the ward. These include physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and so on. All the staff work together to provide the care and treatment you may need.
Helping Staff to Learn
The Strathclyde Suite plays an important part in the training of students. We are sure you will understand the need for students to gain experience and hope that you do not mind their presence. We will ask for your agreement prior to students being present. However you have the right to refuse and this will not affect your treatment.
For your comfort
Meals
Meals are served at approximately the following times: Breakfast - 8.00 - 9.00am Lunch - 12.00 - 1.00pm Supper - 4.30 - 5.30pm If you have any concerns about your food, please speak to a nurse in the ward so that any problems can be sorted out at the time.
No Smoking
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 wish to stop smoking please discuss this with a member of staff on the ward who can help or direct you to a smoking cessation service.
Visiting
Wards 1 and 2:
3.00pm - 4.00pm and 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Telephones
Please do not use mobile phones as their use interferes with medical equipment.
Religious Services
The hospital chaplains visit the wards regularly. If you want them to visit you, please let the ward staff know. Your own chaplain can visit you at any time.
Other Facilities
- Postal Arrangements
- Daily Newspapers
- Hairdressing - The hairdresser visits once a week - Please ask any member of staff for further details.
Confidentiality and use of patient's information
For the purpose of your present and future medical treatment, details of your medical care will be recorded. Some use may be made of this information for research purposes and to indicate the kind of future health services which patients may require; some will be processed on a computer. At all times great care is taken to ensure that high standards of confidentiality are maintained inrespect of all information held.
The “Data Protection Act 1998” gives you the right of access to any personal information which NHS Lanarkshire holds about you, either in manual records or on its computers. If you wish to apply for access to your data, or if you would like more information about your rights under the Act you should, in the first instance, contact the Health Records Officer at the hospital.