In Patient Information
1. Neurological Services in Grampian
Patients with neurological disorders requiring emergency and non-emergency inpatient care may be admitted to Ward 205 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Ward 205 is a 38 bedded neuroscience ward for patients requiring neurosurgery, neuro HDU and neurological assessment and care.
Visiting times are: 14:30 - 16:30 and 18:30 - 20:00
2. What to do if you can't make your Admission Date
If you are no longer able to make your admission date, please phone the ward secretary on the phone number on your letter or appointment card so that we can re-arrange the date for you.
3. What to bring with you
Medicines: Please bring all your medicines with you when you come into hospital, this gives the hospital staff looking after you a complete record of the medicines you are taking. It will make sure you do not miss any doses and prevents any confusion between medicines supplied in hospital and those left at home.
Please also bring with you the following items;
- Your admission letter
- Soap and facecloth
- Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Brush and comb
- Shaving kit or electric razor
- Nightdress or pyjamas
- Dressing gown and slippers
- Comfortable clothing
- Small change for telephone and television cards
- Reading material or other items to help occupy yourself during your stay.
Bedside storage space is limited so please consider this when packing.
Please do not bring any alcohol or illegal substances, as we do not permit their consumption.
Please do not bring large quantities of money, valuables or personal effects with you. The hospital can only accept responsibility for small amounts of cash or valuables which are officially handed over to ward staff for safe- keeping. A receipt will be given for this. The hospital cannot accept liability for loss or theft of those items not handed over to ward staff, as responsibility for those items remains with the patient.
4. Arrival
Please report directly to the ward with your admission letter. You will be welcomed by the ward receptionist or a member of nursing staff. Staff will confirm your details. Sometimes a bed may not be available for you immediately. If this is the case you may be asked to wait in the ward day room and you will be kept informed of the situation. Very occasionally, admissions and operations may be postponed on the day they were scheduled due to unforeseen emergencies. If this does occur, another date for your admission will be arranged as soon as possible.
A number of staff from the multidisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses and therapists, may be involved in your care. Some of the staff will ask questions and take notes of your personal details to help them gain a clear picture of your problems. If you are unsure about anything concerning your care please ask a senior member of nursing staff or the doctors who will try to give you clear explanations to your questions.
When you are admitted to hospital, the ward nurse responsible for your care may refer you to the liaison nurse. Liaison nurses work closely with the ward staff also district nurses, health visitors, social services and other members of the multi-disciplinary team (such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and any other healthcare professionals who have or may be involved in your care). When you are discharged from hospital you may need support from the community nursing staff or social services. The liaison nurses will help to ensure that arrangements are in place for your discharge from hospital if necessary.
Please wash your hands with the gel available before entering the ward. At your ward, a member of staff will welcome you, issue you with a personal identity bracelet which should be worn at all times during your stay. They will ask about the following:
- Any medicines you are taking
- Any recent infections
- Any valuables in your possession
- Any problems with eyesight or speech
- Any problems with mobility - specialised equipment can be made available.
When you are in hospital the staff will aim to do their best to help and support you. It is the policy of the hospital to provide care that meets your physical, psychological, spiritual, cultural and social needs. The staff may ask you some questions to help them be aware of your needs. If you have any special requirements please tell them as soon as possible. Here are some ways in which the hospital might meet your needs:
- An interpreting service for patients who do not speak English.
- Personal loop systems for patients with hearing difficulties.
- Food which conforms to religious and cultural requirements.
- Hospital Chaplains to help you to talk about any concerns or worries you may have.
- Chaplaincy Centre Quiet Rooms for use by visitors and patients who seek some peace.
At any time during your stay in hospital you may request any of these services by asking the nursing staff.
5. Information
- If you or your relatives wish to discuss any aspect of your care or treatment with your doctor, please arrange an appointment via the Nurse-in-Charge.
- We will require obtaining your consent for any treatment or operation.
- If you require a Medical Certificate you can obtain one from the Senior Charge Nurse or Nurse-in-Charge.
Courtesy to Staff
The safety of patients and staff is very important to NHS Grampian.Therefore, aggressive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated. NHS Grampian takes a serious view on this and will act accordingly.
Confidentiality of Health Information
All healthcare professionals have duty to protect your privacy and confidentiality. We comply fully with the provisions and obligations of the Data Protection Act 1998 in storing and processing your information. The booklet 'Confidentiality - it's your right' gives you more information. You can ask staff for a copy or call Corporate Communications on 01224 554400.
Fire and security
The fire alarm is tested regularly. If you discover smoke or a fire, please inform a member of staff immediately. In the event of a fire the Nursing staff will advise you what to do. As part of security, access to buildings after 10.00pm can only be made through controlled entrances.
No Smoking
The hospital operates a No Smoking Policy. You are not permitted to smoke in any NHS building or at entrances. If you are coming into hospital and would like to stop smoking while an in-patient, please speak to the Nursing staff about smoking cessation service available.
Social Workers
Social Workers are available if required.
6. Meals
Breakfast, lunch and evening meals may be selected from a daily menu. The ward operates a 'Protected Meal Time' policy. For this reason visiting is not permitted within the ward during meal times to enable staff to focus their attention serving food and assisting patients to eat. The hospital aims to promote healthy eating habits.The hospital also provides menus for those on special diets or those who require something different because of their religion or culture(example, halal food). For more information please ask your nurse.
Bringing food into hospital; any food brought in for you by friends and relatives should be branded goods, in sealed packets with a sell-by date. Please ask nurse in charge before eating any food brought in for you. Please note the hospital cannot accept any responsibility for foods not prepared by us.
7. Keeping in touch
By post
Any mail sent to you should be marked with your full name, Ward 205 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN
By telephone
You can keep in touch with friends and family with the 'Hospedia' telephone at your bedside.
The use of mobile phones is not permitted in the ward area.
Please keep calls to the hospital to a minimum, and made by only one relative or friend who can then inform other members of your family or friends of your progress. We appreciate that your relatives and friends will be anxious to learn of your progress, however it would save considerable staff time if calls to the ward were limited. Please be aware that due to confidentiality staff can only give out limited information over the phone.Ward telephone number (01224) 553260.
8. Compliments, Comments and Suggestions
We welcome comments and suggestions about any aspects of your stay.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service during your stay in the ward please ask to speak to the nurse in charge at the time. We would welcome the opportunity to resolve any concerns as soon as possible.
Feedback forms are available at ward level.
Address for formal letters is NHS Grampian Feedback Service, St Martins House, 181 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BB
NHS Grampian Feedback Service; Tel. 0845 337 6 338
9. Arrangements for Discharge
- We will discuss with you arrangements made for your discharge from hospital.
- Domestic arrangements will be discussed with you in order to assess whether you require home support following your discharge.
- Travel Arrangements - If you wish, the nursing staff will notify your relatives or friends to make the necessary arrangements, or you can do this yourself. If we consider an Ambulance is medically necessary then we will arrange this, there are specific criteria for ambulance transport.
- Travel Expenses - If you receive income support, employment and support allowance, job seekers allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee or an NHS exemption certificate you may be entitled to help with travel costs. You must bring details of your benefits and appointment card when you attend the hospital. Please keep any tickets and receipts as proof of your travel costs.
- Medical Arrangements - if you are to be discharged on medication you will receive 7 days supply. Please allow time for delivery of your medicines from the pharmacy department. You will also receive a letter for yourself and your GP detailing your prescription and other aspects of your treatment and discharge plan. Further details of your treatment will be sent to your GP within 7 days or as soon as test results are known.
10. Further visits
If you require an outpatient visit you will receive an appointment by post.
11. Travel costs
All patients travelling from the Highlands and Islands are entitled to claim some or all of their public transport costs of travel.
The following only applies to patients on Family Credit, Income Support or Low Income.
- Patients are required to bring proof of entitlement, e.g. a letter confirming entitlement to benefit, HC2 certificate, NHS Tax Credit Exemption Card, Asylum
- Registration Card (ARC).
- Bus or train tickets will be required as evidence.
- We can reimburse the cost of petrol for patients using their car.
- In some cases the travelling costs of an escort can be claimed.
- Taxi fares will not be reimbursed.
- Please note that reimbursement will be at the cheapest public transport rate. Reimbursement and queries are dealt with by the General Office, Administration Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary during normal office hours.
12. Guidelines for visitors
Visitors are welcome; we appreciate the importance of contact with family and friends for recovery and reassurance. For comfort, infection prevention, safety and to enable delivery of clinical care to continue we would appreciate if these guidelines were followed;
- On arrival at ward level all visitors should wash their hands with the gel located at the entrance to the ward. This is applied by squirting a little gel onto the hands, massaging it in like handcream and allowing it to air dry naturally.
- Only 2 visitors per bed at any one time.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult and be supervised at all times.
- Babies should only be brought at the discretion of the Parents and Nursing Staff.
- Respect the privacy of patients and families.
- Keep noise to a minimum.
- No smoking within hospital buildings and grounds.
- Visitors should not visit if suffering from colds, 'flu' or other infectious conditions. If you are uncertain, please ask a member of nursing staff for advice.
- Refer to the guidance on bringing food into hospital.
- Visits outside normal hours can be arranged with the nurse in charge.
- Animals are not permitted within the hospital, except for guide dogs.
Visiting times are: 14:30 - 16:30 and 18:30 - 20:00hrs