About the Urgent Care Observation Unit at the Royal Oldham Hospital
We are an 8 bedded short stay ward comprising of 2 separate bays. The ward is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On arrival to the ward all patients will be allocated a named nurse.
Due to the short-stay nature of our ward, patients can be admitted or discharged at all times of the day and night, this can disturb patients. We do try to be as quiet as possible, please understand that this may be difficult at times depending on the individual needs of our patients.
Consultant Ward Round
During your stay in the Urgent Care Observation Unit you will be under the care of a designated consultant and your condition will be reviewed by a member of medical staff each day. They will determine whether you need to stay in the hospital for further treatment or can be discharged. It may be necessary for some patients to be transferred to a specialist ward for further treatment.
Prior to their discharge, some patients may require further assessments from different specialists, such as the A&E therapy team, pain specialist nurses or alcohol specialist nurses.
Meal Times
The ward has open visiting, however we operate a protected meal time policy. This is to ensure that our patients have an uninterrupted time when they can eat their food in peace and that nursing staff are on hand to help if required.
Visitors are asked not to visit during these times unless they are there to help patients to eat. Mealtimes are at:
Breakfast: 8am - 9am
We have a variety of cereals, porridge, toast and drinks.
Lunch: 12noon - 1pm
A variety of hot and cold meals, sandwiches, dessert and drinks are available.
Dinner: 5pm - 6pm
A variety of hot and cold meals, sandwiches, dessert and drinks are available.(with the exception of Sundays, when soup and sandwiches are served).
Special Dietary Requirements
Please inform staff on admission of any dietary requirements you may have, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Menus can be provided.
Hot and cold drinks and a variety of sandwiches and snacks are also available 24 hours a day. Please ensure you ask our staff for any of these and very importantly that you tell the ward staff if you are allergic to any foods.
Confidentiality
Patient confidentiality is a priority to our staff and maintaining this is very important to us.
Therefore, we are unfortunately unable to provide families with detailed information regarding our patients over the telephone. Where possible, if patients wish, we will ask them to directly speak to relatives over the phone and update you on any information they may want to share with you. With the patient’s permission/consent we will share information with relatives/ carers who attend the ward.
Visitors
Our ward operates flexible visiting times between 8am to 8pm.
Please be aware that team members will be assessing and treating patients and you may be asked to step outside whilst patient care is provided. We ask that visiting is avoided during the mealtimes (as above) except in special circumstances by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.
We also ask that you have only two visitors at a time as large groups can disturb other patients. Any additional visitors may be asked to wait off the ward.
Visitors are also kindly asked not to sit on patient’s bed and armchairs and to use the visitors chairs provided. Visitor’s chairs are provided on the ward. Please can these be returned following visiting.
Due to the risk of infection young children are discouraged from attending the ward. In exceptional circumstances alternative arrangements may be agreed with the nurse in charge. All visitors should use the alcohol hand gel when they arrive and leave the ward.
Teaching Students
The Urgent Care Observation Unit is a teaching and learning environment therefore you may come into contact with Medical Students and Student Nurses. There may also be trainee therapists working on the ward.
During your stay in hospital, procedures may be carried out by students and other healthcare professionals, as part of a recognised teaching/development programme. You do not have to take part if you do not want to and your treatment will not be affected in any way. Please let your nurse or doctor know.
Feedback
Feedback is of high importance to us and we value the opportunity to hear your thoughts regarding your stay!
The comments our patients give get reviewed on a monthly basis and are a really valuable way of getting feedback on how we are doing and what we could improve on.
Other useful information
There is a shop at the main entrance to the hospital selling newspapers, toiletries and snacks. There is also a costa machine for your favourite hot drink.
Situated on the main corridor of the hospital is the Café Royal, serving hot meals and beverages. There is also a salad bar open at lunch times serving soup, jacket potatoes, salad bowls and sandwiches. Various vending machines are also situated throughout the hospital.
Please ask staff if you require further information.
Contact Information
Urgent Care Observation Ward
Telephone Number: 0161 656 1910
Hospital Helpline - Royal Oldham Hospital
Telephone Number: 07970 199258
Date of Review: December 2023
Date of Next Review: December 2025
Ref No: PI_M_221 (Oldham)