Male Contact: Female Contact:
Visiting Times: 11:30 – 18:30
At the present time our visiting hours are as above, however this is subject to change.
During your stay on ward 24 we will envisage to ensure that you are given the opportunity to speak to the nursing/medical teams in relation to your loved one’s plan of care and a safe and effective discharge.
Hello and Welcome to Ward 24
We are a care of the elderly ward which specialises in the rehabilitation and social needs of patients who often have a combination of complex medical and social needs. Our team members have a variety of skills, knowledge, and experience in caring for patients with frailty, dementia, and interventional nutritional needs. Some of our patients may be confused and as such we ask that you do not attempt to assist other patients on the ward with mobility and nutritional needs, as their needs may greatly differ from the needs of your loved one. If assistance is required, please speak to a member of our nursing team.
We work closely with various other teams and departments including nutrition and dietetics, nurse specialists, pharmacy, community teams, palliative care, social services, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
Falls
Some of our patients on the ward may be at risk of falling. The nursing team strive to provide a safe environment for patients by minimising risk, however we are unable to prevent all falls.
Please help us to reduce the risk of falls to our patients by:
- Providing appropriate fitting clothes and footwear for your loved one (please be advised that trailing trousers and backless slippers can increase the risk of falls)
- Ensure your loved one has access to their glasses/hearing aids and any mobility aids they may require
- Ensure there are only ever two visitors at a time (the reason we ask this is that excessive noise levels and stimuli can upset people with confusion which can increase their risk of falls)
- When leaving the ward ensure your loved one can reach their bedside table/belongings and have access to their nurse call system if they are able to use this
- Return your visitors chair to the allocated area (chairs which are left out can be a trip hazard)
Patients who are identified as a falls risk following a nursing risk assessment will be given yellow socks and a blanket. This is to highlight awareness to all staff in the area.
Property
Due to confusion many of our patients can mislay their belongings or pick up the belongings of others. This is often distressing for the patients and their families as well as staff. We advise you do not bring anything valuable onto the ward, and that patients clothing, and belongings are labelled. Please note that Gateshead Health NHS Trust accepts no responsibility for property which has become lost or damaged.
Infection Control
Please note that face masks are optional within the hospital, if you feel you would like to wear a mask they are located at the entrance to the ward.
Anyone visiting is to ensure that they wash their hands or use the alcohol gel which is available on entering and exiting the ward. Please do not visit the ward if you are feeling unwell and we kindly request that you do not sit on the patients’ beds.
Ward 24 does not have any facilities for laundering clothes. Therefore, dirty laundry will be placed into plastic bags by the patient’s bed for collecting by families/carers. To assist us in infection control measures we request that dirty laundry is removed as soon as possible and replenished.
Forget Me Not
On Ward 24 we encourage a patient centred approach to care, which means we treat each person as an individual and assist them to achieve their goals according to their individual condition and needs. Patients and their loved ones are encouraged to assist with this approach of care. We utilize a document called ‘Forget Me Not’ and we request that you complete this if the patient themselves is not able to do so. This helps to gain an insight into the patient’s personality, past, likes and dislikes which in turn assists us to provide individualised care.
John’s Campaign
Patients who require assistance with nutritional needs at meal times will be prioritized by nursing staff. However, Johns Campaign is in place here at Gateshead to offer the opportunity of support by families and carers during inpatient care. It allows the carer or family member to be present during general care, mealtime support and decision making as an advocate for the person receiving treatment. Carers passes can be given following discussion with a nurse.
Patient Hygiene
Ward 24 stocks limited supply of toiletries, these are donated by staff and are designed for patients who are first admitted into hospital and may not have had the chance to bring their own toiletries with them. Therefore, we do ask that you supply your loved one with the necessary toiletries in accordance with their length of stay.
Feedback
Ward 24 strives to provide excellence in nursing care and any feedback is greatly appreciated. The patient will receive a ‘Friends and Family’ card on discharge from hospital, this should be completed and either placed in the Friends and Family box on exit from the ward or returned via freepost.
CQC National Customer Service Centre Newcastle
Ward 24
Ward Manger
Ward 24
Jubilee Wing
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead Health NHS Trust
NE9 6SX
