Staff on the wards
Whilst you are with us you will be cared for by many different members of staff. One of the most important of these is the qualified nurse who will be responsible for organising and planning your care. We call this person your Named Nurse. She or he will explain what will be happening to you whilst you are in hospital.
Members of staff include:
- Ward Manager, who is the sister or charge nurse running the ward
- Junior Sister/Charge Nurse and Staff Nurses
- Nursing Auxiliaries who provide personal care and assist the qualified nurses
- Ward Clerk
- Hotel and Domestic Staff.
Other staff such as, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dietitians and Chaplains may also visit you. If you would like to speak with a Chaplain, please ask the nurse to make contact for you.
You should find posters on the ward explaining the different uniforms that each group of staff wears.
All members of Trust staff and hospital volunteers normally wear a name badge and will introduce themselves to you. If you are in any doubt about who is talking to you, please ask them to say who they are.
Doctors’ Rounds
When you come into hospital you will be under the care of a Consultant Specialist. The Consultant is responsible for a team of doctors who will be looking after your day to day treatment and progress.
Your Consultant will see you as soon as possible after you come into hospital. A more junior doctor will usually see you every weekday and one is also available at weekends if needed. Please feel free to discuss any of your medical problems or concerns with them.
If you are in agreement and your close relatives want to talk to the doctor, they should ask your Named Nurse to suggest a time when the doctor will be available. If you would prefer your relatives not to talk to the doctor, for confidentiality reasons for example, please make this clear to your Named Nurse.
If you are having an operation or a particular procedure the doctor will explain this to you. The doctor will probably ask you a number of questions and ask you to sign a Consent Form. This gives us your permission to perform the operation or treatment. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions about the investigation, treatment or operation that you are going to receive. You may for example have questions about the risks involved or about your treatment after you have left hospital.
If you are having a general anaesthetic, the Anaesthetist will normally visit and examine you before the operation.