General Surgery Wards - Welcome to Ward F12

Lead Nurse: Alison Birkett

Ward Manager: Keah Swanick

Ward Sisters: Alison O’Neill, Naomi Berry and Chloe Howson

Ward Telephone Number: 0161 656 1729

About the Ward

What is the Theatre Admission Lounge (TAL)?

It is a dedicated pre-operative waiting area for patients who have been admitted on the day they are scheduled to have their surgery. Patients admitted to TAL will more than likely have undergone a pre-operative assessment and have been assessed to be physically fit to await their surgery without needing to be on a ward. TAL is managed by the staff on Ward F12, and staff will be in attendance at all times.

Most wards have doctor’s rounds in the morning where patients fit for discharge are identified. Until patients on the wards have been discharged, there may not be beds available for those patients having surgery that day. TAL allows patients to be admitted to the hospital and to be made ready for surgery prior to a bed being available. This helps ensure the surgery time available is well used and that operating lists can start promptly. Admitting patients to TAL improves efficiency in separating admission and discharge.

The time you have been given to arrive in TAL is not the time that you will have your procedure. The request for you to come in earlier than your procedure is so that the nursing staff can prepare you for theatre and allow time for the surgical team and anaesthetist to see you.
 
A relative, carer or friend will be able to bring you into TAL but as it is quite a small area, seating is limited to patients only.
However, if seating is available, then your companion is welcome to stay. We also ask that any belongings that you bring should be sent home with a relative and brought back when you have an inpatient bed.

The nursing staff will inform you of the ward you will go to following surgery. They will give you its location and contact telephone number. The nursing staff will also be happy to telephone a relative or friend to give them this information.

We understand that waiting for your operation can be an anxious time. Our aim is to make that time as agreeable as we can by:

• Answering your questions
• Keeping you well informed about when you will go to the operating theatre
• Treating you with respect at all times

Very occasionally we may have to cancel procedures on the day and send patients home, this would be rare and due to unforeseen circumstances which would be explained to you should this happen.

About Ward F12

Ward F12 is a multi-specialty surgical ward, and we are open 365 days a year.

Our aim is to provide high quality care to you as an individual, and all the staff would like to welcome you to the ward.

Mealtimes:

Breakfast - 8am - 8.45am

Lunch -12 noon - 1pm

Tea - 5pm - 6pm

Visiting Hours:

Morning: 10am -11:30am

Afternoon: 1pm - 4.30pm

Evening: 6pm - 8pm

Please note that visiting is 2 visitors only at a time to minimize risk of infections. Families are welcome to wait outside the ward in the waiting area and to swap during the visit to see your loved ones.

Please note that Ward F12 has a protected mealtimes policy, and these times are set to ensure our patients have sufficient time to prepare and enjoy for their meal. If you arrive during mealtimes, you will be asked to leave until mealtime are over. Only in exceptional circumstances will we allow visitors to stay during mealtimes.

Ward F12 supports Johns Campaign and welcomes carers to help their loved ones throughout their stay.

During your stay

Once you have been allocated your bedside locker and placed your belongings into it please could you arrange for any bags/ suitcases to be taken home until you are ready for discharge.

In your hospital welcome pack you will find a number of information leaflets and a QR code which we ask you to read. These include information on what you can do to prevent any pressure damage to your skin whilst you are in hospital.

Also included in the pack is information regarding infection prevention and what you and your visitors can do to minimise the risk of infection.

On admission you will be provided with hand wipes which are for your own use. We ask that visitors use the hand gel provided at the hand hygiene stations upon entering and leaving the ward.

Visitors are also kindly asked not to sit on patient’s bed and armchairs.

Unfortunately due to infection prevention, fresh flowers are not permitted on the ward.

We encourage early mobility following surgery and our nursing and therapy teams will work with you to achieve this.

Ward Focal Area

On F12, we are very fortunate to have a ward focal area in which you can enjoy during your stay on F12. This area features tea, coffee and juice facilities for you to enjoy 24 hours a days. Please help yourself to snacks and refreshments whilst you are here.
Please note that this facility is for patient use only, however we welcome you to use this area with your family to relax and enjoy.

There is also a TV in this area, please inform a member of the team if you wish to watch anything on TV and we will help to facilitate this.

We also welcome you to use this area if you wish to eat your meals outside of a clinical environment.

We have weekly activities run from this area to help improve your wellbeing whilst in hospital. These events will be advertised on our focal area board.

Your Treatment Plan

Your team of doctors will undertake a daily ward round. We will keep you fully informed of your treatment plan. We encourage you to ask questions about your treatment.

If you have any concerns regarding your treatment/information provided, then please speak to the nurse who is looking after you and that particular shift.

The Ward Manager is also available to speak to you on the ward.

Teaching students

F12 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.

Specialist teams

Specialist teams also visit the ward. These include:-

• Colorectal Specialist Nurses
• Pain Management Team
• Palliative Care Team
• Infection Prevention Nurses
• Tissue Viability Nurses
• Members of the Senior Nursing Team
• Hospital Chaplains

The hospital operates a no-smoking policy that applies to all buildings and hospital grounds. Patients must speak to a member of staff before leaving the ward. Whilst in hospital, if you are connected to any medical equipment, you must remain on the ward at all times.

When you are ready to go home you may be transferred to the Hospital Discharge Lounge. This may be as early as 8.30am (following breakfast). This is to release beds as early as possible for new patients to be admitted.

On the Discharge Lounge you can wait for your medications to arrive from pharmacy, and for relatives to pick you up.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Our aim is to provide a positive patient experience during our stay with us.

Prior to your discharge your nurse will give you a Friends and Family Card for you to complete. Following completion please give the card to the nurse.