General Surgical Wards - Welcome to the Surgical Triage Unit (STU)

Aim of the leaflet

This leaflet is aimed at explaining how the Surgical Triage Unit (STU) works and what you can expect during your visit.

The Surgical Triage Unit is a 24-hour emergency surgery assessment unit. The unit is for people who have been referred by their doctor/GP or from Accident and Emergency for a surgical assessment. The unit has both examination/treatment clinic rooms and assessment beds.

Before you arrive

Where possible, you should bring all of your tablets or medicines with you, and you should NOT eat or drink until you are reviewed by a doctor. Please also avoid chewing gum.

At the Surgical Triage Unit (STU)

When you arrive, you should report to the reception desk where you will be checked in. The unit is set up similar to a clinic and you will be directed to our waiting area.

You may be seen in the order you arrive and whilst we aim to see you as quickly as we can, there may be a waiting time to be seen. This is because patients are attending for different reasons and also the doctors can be called away from the unit to see unwell patients in other areas.

You may be assessed in either a hospital bed or in our clinic assessment area (all based within the same unit).

You will have your observations taken, e.g. Blood pressure, heart rate, respirations, oxygen levels, temperature and blood sugar.

You may also be asked to provide a urine sample.
 
You will then be seen by a senior doctor or advanced practitioner and a plan for your care will be made.

If may be that you need investigations or advice and will then be able to go home. You may be sent home whilst you await further investigations and/or results, in which case you will be provided with a follow-up appointment for you to return and discuss the results.

Investigations such as x-rays, blood tests or scans are arranged on an urgent basis if necessary.

If you need to be admitted, then the staff will arrange this, usually initially to the Surgical Triage Unit to plan your care, followed by a move to one of the surgical wards if necessary.

This will usually be to one of the wards within the hospital.

Female ward B1 – 0161 206 4602
Ward H4 – 0161 206 4577
Male Ward B2 – 0161 206 4312
Surgical Enhanced Care – Ward B2M – 0161 206 4312

Discharge

When your assessment/treatment is complete, it is important that your discharge is not delayed.

If you are medically well, you will need to arrange your own transport home. If you have undergone a procedure, we ask that you organise for a friend or relative to help look after you for the first 24 hours upon arriving home.

Whilst waiting for transport, you may be taken to wait in our Discharge Lounge which is situated in the Ladywell Building, Purple Area.

If you feel unwell prior to your Surgical Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) clinic appointment or following discharge from the STU, then please call the STU co-Ordinator on the number below. You will be given advice on what to do.

You may be asked to make an appointment to see your GP, go to the Accident and Emergency Department or re-attend the STU for assessment, depending upon the nature of your issue.

Useful phone numbers

Surgical Triage Unit (STU) – 0161 206 4943 or email surgicaltriage.unit@nca.nhs.uk
Salford Royal switchboard – 0161 206 7373
Discharge Lounge – 0161 206 1315
STU Co-ordinator – 0161 206 4004
PALS – 0161 206 2003

Getting to the Unit

Car parking is available at a cost on the central car park, which is located on the main site of the hospital, from the Eccles Old Road entrance. Alternatively, there is off-site parking on our East Car Park which is located off Stott Lane.

The Surgical Triage Unit is located in the Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital (GMMTH), level 2 at Salford Royal Hospital. The unit is signposted as STU (Surgical Triage Unit).