Tummel Ward Information for patients, relatives and carers Murray Royal Hospital Tummel Ward Telephone: 01738 562347 The aim of this leaflet is to give you information about Tummel Ward. Introduction Tummel Ward is a 12 bed mixed sex ward to which patients over the age of 65 are admitted for assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of dementia related illness. The ward comprises of 12 single ensuite bedrooms. There are two sitting rooms and an activity room. There is an enclosed garden/ courtyard area for patients. Tummel Ward operates a locked door policy for the safety of our patients. The main doors to the hospital are locked between 8pm to 8am, Monday to Friday and 8pm to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. If entry is required, please contact the ward on telephone number 01738 562347. Reason for admission to Tummel Ward In most cases, patients will have shown deterioration in their intellectual and social functioning for a period of months or even years, prior to admission. The reason for admission is often the development of problems, such as: Restlessness Agitation Wandering Aggression Sleep disturbance Irritability Confusion Incontinence Mobility problems, for example falls All of which can make it difficult for carers to manage the patient outwith the hospital. Less often, patients require admission due to a sudden deterioration in their mental state, often as a result of physical illness, in which case the symptoms listed above may also appear. What happens on admission? Once in the ward, a doctor will see the patient. Page 1 of 5
It is usual at this time for a member of the nursing staff to obtain further information from the patient s relative or carer. At this time you may be given a This is me sheet. It would be appreciated if you could complete and return this as soon as possible, as this allows staff to talk about things of interest to the patient and helps with their orientation. The doctor examines the patient and some routine tests are done. These tests should be considered routine for any elderly patient being admitted to hospital. Following the patient s interview with the doctor, they will then be shown round the ward and introduced to staff and fellow patients. A period of assessment by the multi-disciplinary team will then follow. This assessment varies in length from individual to individual. Members of the multi-disciplinary team include: Nursing staff Medical staff Activity nurse Physiotherapist Occupational Therapist Care Manager Mental Health Officer Podiatrist Dietitian What is the purpose of assessment? The purpose of the assessment is to determine the patient s current level of intellectual functioning, day-to-day skills and anything which may be interfering with their ability to function at their best possible level. Treatment Some problems may be immediately apparent; others may take time to be assessed. Help to resolve or minimise these problems can come from any member of the multi-disciplinary team. When a problem has been identified, a plan of care will be developed. This plan may include attendance with any of the multi-disciplinary team and the use of medication. Length of stay Due to the individuality of all patients and the varying problems they can encounter, it is not possible to give an accurate guide as to the length of stay. When the patient s condition is stable, a decision is made about their future placement, be that returning home or to a residential/nursing home. Patients/relatives/carers wishes will be taken into consideration. Discharge Home The patient s needs will be discussed with relatives/carers. It is common, but not always necessary for a physiotherapist and/or an occupational therapist to accompany the patient home for a visit prior to discharge, to assess how the patient is able to cope with day-to-day tasks in their own environment. This is done to assess the level of risk and support required, for example, home help, meals on wheels, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Tuck-in Service, and Medication Prompts. Page 2 of 5
Physical aids or adaptations may also be recommended at this time. Day hospital attendance and respite requirements are usually discussed with carers at this time. Discharge to residential/nursing home care Discharge to a residential/nursing home may be appropriate. It is common for patients who have been admitted from a home to return to the same one. If discharge to a home were appropriate, relatives will be expected to view appropriate homes and make three choices in order of preference. Prior to final placement decisions being made, the managers from the homes chosen will come to the ward to assess the patient to see if they feel they can meet their individual needs. A list of nursing and residential homes in the Tayside area is available from the nursing staff or the care manager assigned to the patients care. There are three ways a patient can be discharged to a home. 1. They have capacity and agree to go into a home. 2. Someone holds welfare and financial Power of Attorney. If you have welfare and financial Power of Attorney or Guardianship, please give the ward a copy of this. (If you do not have this and wish to apply, the Consultant in charge of the patients care will make a judgement if the patient has capacity to agree to this.) 3. The patient is subject to a Guardianship Order. (This is granted when the patient no longer has capacity.) If you require information regarding Power of Attorney or Guardianship Orders, this is available from the nursing staff or the care manager. Additional Information: Clothing/Personal items On admission, all patients clothing is listed on an inventory and is then sent to have a label attached with the patients name and a ward identification number. It is therefore essential that additional items of clothing, which are brought in, be handed to nursing staff. During the patients stay, it is desirable to have at least 7 full changes of day clothes and night attire and a dressing gown. More may be required if incontinence is a problem. Clothing is washed at our hospital laundry in bulk. It is essential that clothes are machine washable no woollens or dry cleaning. All items of clothing should be handed to the Nurse in Charge, not left in or on the patient s locker. Please supply suitable indoor and outdoor footwear and slippers. Page 3 of 5
Patients will require a supply of toiletries during their stay. There is a board at the patient s bedside, which should update you on items required. Valuable items should be taken home for safe keeping as NHS Tayside is unable to accept responsibility for cash or personal property belonging to the patient that has not been deposited for safe keeping. An official receipt must be obtained for any deposit made. Hairdresser A hairdresser can be organised to come to the ward. Prices for this service are available from the nursing staff. Patients are welcome to continue to use their own hairdresser, either coming to the ward or to attend the salon if this is appropriate. We regret that nursing staff will be unable to take patients to the salon for appointments. Relatives should arrange transport themselves. Patient and Carer Involvement Relatives, friends and carers are encouraged to be involved in the patients care. Please feel free to talk to a member of staff if you wish any information about the plan of care or to raise any concerns that you have. If the staff on duty are unable to answer your queries or concerns, these will be passed on to the Senior Charge Nurse to discuss with you, either when you visit or by telephone. Visiting times Tummel Ward operates an open visiting policy. Meal times Tummel Ward operates a Protected Meal Time Policy. Breakfast: Lunch: Supper: 8am 9am 12noon 1pm 5pm 6pm Relatives are asked not to telephone or visit during these times. Follow up care If the patient is discharged home, a community nurse, doctor or social worker will retain contact to ensure that the patient is safe at home and the services in place are appropriate. They will also be able to give advice to family and carers and hopefully identify early signs of a problem developing. If the patient is discharged to a residential/nursing home, they will be followed up by nursing staff from the ward either by telephone or a personal visit. They will have access to their GP. Further Information: Information leaflets covering a variety of subjects are available in the ward. Page 4 of 5
Support available: Dementia Café A Drop In café is held on the first Wednesday of every month. 10am 12.30pm The North Church Hall, High Street, Perth This service aims to offer information, support and a chance to have a chat, for people with dementia, their families and carers. Volunteers, along with professionals from Health and Social Work are available every month. For further information contact: Andy Bennett Telephone: 01738 636358 Debbie Howie Telephone: 01738 562290 Developed by Tummel Ward staff Reviewed: 04/2017 Review: 04/2019 LN1096 Page 5 of 5