General Surgical Wards - Welcome to Ward H4

H4 is a 30 bedded mixed sex ward caring for patients in general surgery, orthopaedics, urology and gynaecology. We are situated on Level 2 in the Hope Building at Salford Royal Hospital.

The main aim of the ward is to care for patients who have had an emergency admission via A&E and require acute treatment or surgery.

We want to ensure that we help you to get back to your usual functional baseline and therefore enable your safe discharge back to your permanent place of residence. If a longer period of rehabilitation is required, we may refer you to an intermediate care unit in the area that you live. This will be discussed with you or your family/care provider by the staff on the ward.

Ward Manager

The current ward manager on H4 is Kathryn Hale, who can be contacted during working hours of 7am - 3pm Monday to Friday. If out of hours, one of the senior nurses are normally on duty, or you can ask one of the nursing team and a message can be left with them, with a phone number and we will get back to you at the earliest opportunity.

Telephone Numbers

Nurse Base - 0161 206 4578/0161 206 5843
Bay 14 – 0161 206 4523
Bay 15 – 0161 206 4535
Bay 16 – 0161 206 4536
Ward Manager’s office – 0161 206 0502

Please be aware that these numbers are not staffed 24hours a day and the staff may not always be able to answer straight away due to clinical priorities.

Expectations

As your care provider:

• We aim to provide the right care at the right time to ensure that your needs are met
• We will discuss and agree any equipment/support needs you may have
• We will fully involve you in planning your discharge, together with a relative, carer or friend as appropriate
• When your treatment is complete it is important that your discharge is not delayed

As a patient:

• Please arrange everyday/outdoor clothes of your own and toiletries
• We aim to have patients dressed in their own clothes where appropriate
• You will need to arrange your own transport home where possible
• Please let your next of kin know you are going home. If you are unable to contact them, let the nurse know who is providing your care
• Please let us know if you need a sick note
• Please be aware we have a zero tolerance policy towards verbal and physical aggression on the ward and we ask that you respect this

Infection Control

Due to infection control precautions, the ward is not able to have any balloons, flowers, or pot plants in the patients’ bed areas. We also advise that any photos, pictures, or letters are laminated so that they can be cleaned to prevent any infections.

You may be asked to wear a mask if there are any covid patients on the ward, this is at your discretion and you may refuse, but please do not be rude to staff if asked.

Medications

Please bring any current medications in with you to avoid delays in taking them, although we ask you to leave any controlled drug medication at home.

You will be seen by a pharmacist on the ward to discuss your medications. You will be provided with a top up and any new medications on discharge, but this will be a limited supply. You will need to contact your GP in the usual manner to arrange a repeat prescription. We will discuss your medication with you prior to discharge.

Do not be afraid to ask about any changes to your medication. Following discharge, if you have any questions about your medication, please discuss with your GP or community pharmacist.

Visiting Times

Visiting time is daily between 2pm - 5pm and 6.30pm - 8pm.

Any visiting outside of these times is by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.

Protected mealtimes

These are between 12.30pm - 1.30pm and 5.30pm - 6.30pm. You may be asked to leave during this time unless you are helping to feed your relative. Open visiting is available for all patients with memory loss or dementia, palliative patients and under 18s.

It is only 2 visitors to a bed. All visitors are requested to use the visitors chair rather than sitting on the patients’ beds.

Day of Discharge

We aim to get you home as soon as you are medically fit. On the day of your discharge, you may require nursing/specialist intervention to ensure your safe discharge. This may mean you will be discharged in the afternoon. You may be asked to vacate your bed early and wait in the Discharge Lounge for your medications or transport.

Patient/Relative Feedback

If you have any problems or concerns, please ask to speak to the ward manager or nurse in charge who will be pleased to help.

If you would like to leave any patient/ relative feedback, there are several options to do this:

• Please scan the QR code at the entrance to the ward to complete the patient survey
• Visit the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS)
• Patient feedback book on ward