Your stay in hospital
Ward information
Most wards have four or six bedded bays. The Trust tries to ensure that patients are cared for in single gender bays. Unfortunately, due to the environmental design of many of the wards and the unpredicted nature of emergency admissions, this is not always possible. If it is the case that the ward bays have to be of mixed gender, the nursing staff will screen/partially screen off the area to help provide privacy.
Many of our wards have single room accommodation. Admission to single rooms will be dependent on clinical need and bed availability.
There are also occasions when some patients have to move between wards for a numbers of reasons such as infection control. The nurse in charge on your ward is responsible for this and will tell you if you have to move and the reasons for this.
Routine
The hospital day starts early and bedtime is usually sooner than at home. Rest is however a very important part of your treatment. Inpatient catering will be provided and you will be asked to choose what you would like for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Who will care for you while in hospital?
The ward manager and nursing staff are responsible for general nursing care. Please feel free to speak to them if you have a problem. If they cannot deal with it personally they will contact the person who will be able to help you.
You will also be treated by a Consultant/doctor who will ask for your medical history. Please give as much information as you can as all details are very important. If you want to know anything about your illness, please ask the doctor. Relatives may arrange an interview with the Consultant by speaking to the ward manager or senior nurse, provided this is acceptable to the patient.
Other professional staff may also visit you during your stay in hospital such as dieticians, social workers or physiotherapists. Each is a key member of the team responsible for your care and treatment.
Chaplains
Chaplains from the Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches visit our hospitals regularly. If you want to be seen by a chaplain you should provide details of your religion or faith when asked at admission. The Methodist Chaplain visits patients of other denominations or cultures, at the patient’s request.
Hospital Chaplains can contact you if you have given details of your religion or faith. However, they cannot use this information to contact other clergy without getting consent first. You may therefore want to make your own arrangements to inform your Minister/Priest that you are in, or are going to be staying in hospital.
Letters
Mail is collected and delivered on a daily basis by portering staff. Patients may give stamped letters to a member of nursing staff who will arrange for it to be posted on their behalf.
Gifts for patients
Friends and relatives are asked not to send or bring in flowers or unnecessary items such as potted plants, cuddly toys, multiple bottles or outdoor clothing. Perishable food should not be brought into the hospital for patient’s consumption. Please see the visiting policy for more information.
Smoking policy
As a health care provider the Trust has an obligation to promote health and to provide a healthy environment. Visitors, patients and staff are not allowed to smoke on hospital grounds.
Violence against staff policy
The Trust operates a zero tolerance on abuse of staff policy The Trust is committed to the creation of a culture and environment within which employees, in the discharge of their duty of care to patients and clients, may undertake their duties with the least possible fear of abuse or violence. Abuse or violence towards staff will not be tolerated.
Page last updated:06 August 2009
