Welcome to Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre Roehurst Lane Winsford Cheshire CW7 2DF Direct Line: 01606 597630 1
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Welcome Elmhurst is a 30 bedded unit that focuses on rehabilitation and enabling you to be as independent as possible. Our aim is to provide high quality care and to help you to recover and return to your usual home environment. We try to recreate your usual home routine as much as we possibly can, making your stay comfortable and pleasant. We encourage relatives to be involved in the planning and implementation of your care. Please ask your family if they wish to assist. All the staff will care for and work with you. You may be allocated a case manager who will work alongside you and the other staff to help coordinate your discharge and keep you (and your family) involved and up to date with your progress. We have a team of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and care assistants to support you and your family throughout your stay. Quality and safety The Trust aims to improve quality of care provided for patients and reduce avoidable harm to patients through the monitoring and measuring of quality and safety indicators. Further information is available for the following interventions and assessments: Risk and Falls and Bone Health (see page 10). VTE Prevention available on request from staff. 3
Chaperone The Trust has developed Chaperone Policy to ensure that staff know when patients should be accompanied by a chaperone. This may be for visits that include: Intimate examinations Where the consultation involves the dimming of lights Where the consultation requires the patient to be touched Where the patient is required to be undressed When the examination is on a patient who lacks capacity and is not considered able to consent Where the patient requests a chaperone due to religious, cultural or personal preference. Please note: the list above are examples and anyone who requires a chaperone has the right to request one. For more information, please speak to a member of staff. Discharge planning Your discharge arrangements will be discussed with you early in your admission to ensure your smooth transfer from Elmhurst to home. This will also involve discussions with your family where appropriate. Should you know of anything that may affect your ability to go home please let the staff know as soon as possible. We encourage relatives to be involved in the planning and implementation of your care. Please ask your family if they wish to assist. General information Elmhurst is situated on 2 floors. There is a lift available. The building is quite large; therefore each wing is colour coordinated to help you find your way around. A guide to the layout of the building will be situated in main reception area. 4
What you need with you in Elmhurst These may be useful during your stay: 2 sets of day clothes Where possible a pair of well-fitting shoes or slippers that provide good stability Night wear Dressing gown Underwear Personal toiletries - including soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, face cloths, shampoo, comb, hair brush, etc. Tissues Hospital Passport (see page 7) If appropriate: Spectacles or personal aids Denture pot and cleaner Sanitary towels/tampons Razors Shaving cream Special equipment such as a walking aid. Please mark items with your name and postcode Electrical items please tell staff about any electrical items you have brought in so they can check they are safe to use If ambulance transport is arranged for patients leaving hospital, the service have advised that only two bags can be accommodated on the vehicle. 5
What you don t need with you in hospital Aerosols Valuables Highly flammable substances such as lighter fluid Laundry Wherever possible we ask that your family takes home any dirty laundry and replaces this with clean clothes. We can ensure that dirty laundry is bagged ready for your family to collect. If you do not have anyone who will do your laundry please tell a member of nursing staff as soon as possible. Electrical Items Any electrical item brought in for use in Elmhurst must be checked for safety by a member of staff. Item cannot be used until the check has been done. Valuables If at all possible please send any valuables home with your relatives. If this is not possible, it is advisable that you hand in any valuables and sums of money over 10 for safekeeping. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust cannot be held responsible for any missing valuables not deposited in the safe. You will be asked to sign a disclaimer form on your arrival. Please be aware that if the money is over 200 it will be returned to you in the form of a cheque from our Finance Department. Allow up to 7 working days for cheque to arrive. 6
Meeting individual patients needs The Trust recognises that some patients are more vulnerable when they access our services and may need us to make alternative arrangements or reasonable adjustments for them. A stay in hospital can be particularly distressing for some patients, their families and carers, and we will try to minimise this as much as possible. For example, patients who may have a hearing or sight impairment, physical and/or learning disability or may have dementia. A chaperone can be provided. Please speak to the Unit Manager. If you require any assistance using equipment or facilities on the ward, please speak to a member of staff. Hospital Passport The Trust now has a Hospital Passport for patients with cognitive impairment (for example learning disability or dementia) and their carers to use, enabling important information to be passed on to staff. Please ask a member of staff for a copy or contact the Dignity Matron on 01270 278080. If you already have a Hospital Passport, please make sure you bring it with you to the hospital. (see picture opposite) The passport can also be downloaded from the Trust s website www.mchft.nhs.uk 7
Contacting Elmhurst Direct Line 01606 597630 This is a 24 hour telephone line. If your relatives are concerned about you, we would appreciate it if one person could be nominated to telephone and pass information on as this allows the nursing staff more time to care for the patients. Please also be aware that, due to confidentiality laws, we are limited to how much information we can give over the telephone. If you are unable to visit, a password can be set up for you for when you phone. Confidentiality Information about you, your medical treatment and family may be recorded and held on both paper and computerised systems as part of providing you our services. This information is vital for the effective functioning of the NHS and is needed to give you the best possible healthcare. The Trust will hold your information in the strictest confidence and any information exchanged in the course of your care will be dealt with in line with the law. All our staff have a legal and professional duty to keep information about you confidential and secure. Occasionally, we may need to share your information with other agencies involved in your treatment. For example, when you are discharged, a letter will be sent to your own GP with details of your treatment and advising him/her of further treatment required. In some cases data may be used for other purposes, for example, information used by the Trust during clinical audits. The Trust also uses a number of other organisations to support the delivery of care. Where this is the case, agreements are put in place ensuring these organisations comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Trust supports the rights of all patients to restrict the disclosure of their personal information. 8
Please make your wishes clear and discuss your decision with our staff, as there may be implications of withholding certain information. If you have any further questions, please contact the Information Governance Department on 01270 273812 or ask a member of staff for a copy of our information leaflet How we use personal information which explains in more detail how your information may be used. Medical staff Elmhurst has dedicated GP s that visit at least once a day Monday to Friday. Patients are not routinely seen by a GP unless there is a specific need or problem. Nursing staff Matron Black with charcoal stripes and white trim Ward Manager Navy with white spots and white trim Ward Sister Navy with white trim Staff Nurse Hospital blue with white trim Pharmacist White with teal trim Nurse Specialist Navy with pale blue stripes and white trim Healthcare Assistant Pale blue with white trim Student Grey with navy trim 9
Therapy Services The Therapy team based at Elmhurst consists of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants. Input from Dietetics, Podiatry & Speech & Language Therapists will be on a session basis according to the needs of our patients. Physiotherapist White with navy trim Occupational Therapist White with bottle green trim Therapy Assistant White with white trim If you need to be seen by a therapist you will be individually referred to them. They will then complete a full assessment and agree a rehabilitation programme with you that meets your needs. This programme will help you to gain maximum independence in mobility and everyday activities. The therapists will work with members of the multi-disciplinary team to manage your discharge. Keeping mobile It is usually advisable to keep active unless you are medically advised not to do so. This encourages blood circulation, prevents stiff joints and reduces the risk of pressure sores. Assistance will be given to you if required. 10
At MCHFT and Elmhurst you will have your Risk of Falls and a Bone Health Assessment measured by a member of staff. At MCHFT and Elmhurst our aim is to reduce the numbers of patient falls in the Trust by: Working with patients and carers to promote safety Offering advice in a simple and practical way to provide a rapid response to hazards that are brought to our attention Ensuring that the ward environment is as safe as possible. As a patient you can help us to reduce your risk of falling by: Making staff aware when you feel anxious about moving around Using the nurse call bell to ask for assistance to move around the Unit Being careful when standing up or getting out of bed Not using hospital furniture such as bed tables to help you stand up Wearing lightweight shoes or well-fitting slippers to move around the Unit Using a walking aid, if you have one, when moving around Taking your time when moving Listening to the advice given to you by the nurses, doctors and therapists. Please remember: The Unit is not as familiar to you as your home be careful Keep your personal items within easy reach Inform the nursing staff of any concerns you may have Raise awareness of any hazards. 11
Infection Prevention and Control Why is it so important? Ensuring strict infection prevention and control practice in healthcare facilities is essential in order to stop the development or further spread of infection. Both patients and staff have important roles to play in protecting themselves and others, but thorough hand washing is particularly effective both within the Unit and also at home. Hands may look clean, but germs are always present; some harmful, some not. These germs are often passed from person to person either directly by hands or indirectly by equipment or general surroundings. What can patients do? Hand washing is especially important before eating (snacks and meals) and after using the toilet, bathroom or commode. Hand wipes are available if you cannot get to a handwash basin. If you have wound dressings, stitches, a catheter or other attachments try not to touch them any more than is necessary and always wash your hands afterwards. (Bring only essential items with you so your bedroom can be kept clean and tidy). If you have any concerns about cleanliness, please talk to the Unit Manager or the Clinical Nurse Manager. What can visitors do? Visitors should not visit if they feel unwell or are suffering from nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, colds, chest infections, flu type symptoms, undiagnosed rashes or infectious skin conditions. 12
It may not be appropriate to bring young children or babies onto the Unit in order to protect them and in some areas to additionally protect patients who may be particularly at risk from infection. If you have any queries, please see to the nurse in charge. All visitors must wash their hands or cleanse with hand sanitizer, which are situated throughout the Unit, before and after their visit. It is requested that visitors do not sit on beds and do not touch or handle any wounds, dressings, medical equipment or any other attachments to the patients. What will staff do? Staff will wear plastic aprons and gloves when required to protect themselves and their patients. Staff will wash their hands or cleanse with hand sanitizer before and after contact with you or your immediate surroundings. You and your visitors are encouraged to remind staff to cleanse their hands before and after contact with you and there are hand gel dispensers within easy access of each bedroom for this purpose. If you have an infection (or one is suspected) you may be nursed in your own room. Nursing and medical staff will explain everything you need to know. If you (or your relatives) need more information about infection control measures, designated specialists (Infection, Prevention and Control Service) within the hospital can be contacted by Unit staff. There is also a selection of leaflets for patients on each ward advising on infections and certain conditions. Fire Precautions What fire precautions should I know about? Should the fire alarm activate it does not necessarily mean there is a fire. Staff and fire response team members will attend and tell you if it is necessary to evacuate. 13
Should evacuations be necessary, staff will assist you in moving to a place of safety. Aerosol use The use of aerosols in patient sleeping areas and toilets causes the fire alarm to activate as the aerosol activates the fire alarm smoke detectors. Please do not use aerosols such as deodorants, air freshener, hairsprays etc. Do s Do exactly what staff tell you in the unlikely event of a fire or activation of the fire alarm system Do tell staff if you identify anything that may be a fire hazard Do tell staff about any electrical items you have brought in so they can check them to see if they are safe Do tell staff of any highly flammable substances that you have to bring into the Unit Don ts Don t bring into hospital highly flammable substances such as lighter fluids Don t smoke in unauthorised areas such as within the hospital buildings or on external fire escapes (this includes e-cigarettes) Don t allow ignition sources (cigarettes or naked flames) within close proximity of you if you are receiving piped/ portable oxygen Don t smoke if you have paraffin dressings applied Don t recharge e-cigarettes in the Hospital or vehicles parked on the site. 14
Colour coded aprons We use a variety of different coloured aprons on the Unit all relating to the different activities carried out by nursing staff. Blue dressings Green serving meals and beverages Yellow for infected areas White general duties washing patients Red drugs round Red apron in order to promote best practice, if you see a nurse wearing a red apron please do not approach him/her unless it is specifically relating to the drugs being administered, or in the case of an emergency. To ensure you receive the full attention you deserve please approach another member of staff. Communication is vital to us all. We want to offer you our individual attention. However, nurses require 100% concentration when administering drugs for the safety of patients. Visiting Please ask a member of staff for the Unit s visiting times. Flexible arrangements are available for those families who are travelling a distance or have specific needs. Please speak to a member of the nursing team. To help with infection control issues we request: Only 2 visitors at any time for each patient. Visitors DO NOT sit on beds. All visitors must wash their hands or cleanse with hand sanitizer before and after their visit. 15
Patients Meals If you need assistance at a meal time, please inform the nurse in charge of your care. We welcome help from your family or carer. Please speak to the nurse in charge. No other visitors at meal times. Meal times are: Breakfast is available from 8.00a.m. Lunch is available at midday Tea is available at 5.00p.m. Supper is available from 7.30p.m. Patients will have their meals in the dining room. We have small jugs of milk sugar etc. so patients are encouraged to help themselves and it forms part of the assessment of how you will manage when you return home. If you experience any problems with your meal please speak to a member of staff. You will be offered a choice of a hot meal or sandwiches and a dessert, either yoghurt or fruit. Water is provided on your arrival and is always available. Protected Meal Times We operate a protected meal time from 4.30pm - 6.00pm. We kindly ask that visitors refrain from visiting during these times, unless they are assisting a patient to eat their meal or a special request is made to the Unit Manager. Please ask a member of staff for further information on the protected meal times. We also have special diet menus available on request: Puree, Texture D (pre-mashed), Finger Food, Low Residue and Gluten Free. If there are any issues with reference to dietary requirements, please speak to a member of staff. 16
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Your views count You may be asked for feedback on your patient experience. The trust uses a number of methods to seek your views including surveys, online questionnaires, touch screen kiosk or the Friends and Family Test. Friends and Family Test The NHS Friends and Family Test is a nationwide initiative to gain feedback from patients about the care and treatment they receive while being in hospital. Patients who are going home will be given a card to complete which asks whether they would recommend the ward to their friends and family if they similar care or treatment. This is believed to be an important indicator of the quality of care they have received. Responses are anonymous. The card can be handed to a member of staff or posted into a confidential post box on the ward. How are the results calculated? The NHS Friends and Family Test is a nationwide initiative to gain feedback from patients about the care and treatment they receive while being in hospital. Patients who are going home will be given a card to complete which asks whether they would recommend the ward to their friends and family if they similar care or treatment. This is believed to be an important indicator of the quality of care they have received. Responses are anonymous. The card can be handed to a member of staff or posted into a confidential post box on the ward. 18
Smoking The Trust operates a Smoke Free Sites procedure. This applies to all staff, patients, visitors and contractors. This means that smoking is not permitted in the buildings or grounds of any site owned by the Trust and includes the interior of cars whilst parked on Trust land. Smoke detectors are fitted throughout the Unit including bedrooms. We would strongly reinforce to you that smoking is harmful to your health. Electronic cigarettes fire safety advice A number of incidents have been reported across the UK involving electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) that have exploded or ignited and have caused a fire while recharging. Incidents have occurred in premises and vehicles whilst e-cigarettes are being charged via various charging methods i.e. USB port, mains charger, car cigarette lighter. Patients and visitors must not recharge e-cigarettes in Elmhurst as you are placing yourself and others at risk. While in Elmhurst and upon discharge, reusable and disposable e-cigarettes should not be used in an oxygen rich environment or where oxygen therapy is being used/administered. Patients need to exercise extreme caution when using e-cigarettes after oxygen therapy as clothing can become saturated with oxygen. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact a member of staff. Kickstart For free, friendly advice and support to stop smoking, contact Kickstart, the specialist stop smoking service. If you live in Cheshire East, telephone Freephone 0800 085 8818 or visit www.kickstartcheshire.co.uk If you live in Cheshire West, including Vale Royal telephone Freephone 0800 622 6968 or visit www.quit51.co.uk 19
Alcohol Alcohol must not be consumed in the Unit unless specifically prescribed by your hospital doctor. Drugs The Trust does not accept unauthorised or illegal drugs or illicit substances being brought on to its premises. Zero Tolerance The Trust follows the guidance of the Department of Health on Zero Tolerance to violence against staff. Persons acting in a threatening manner either verbally or physically will be reported to the police and further action may be taken. Mail Please ensure that your relatives/carers/friends state clearly your name and ward on any mail they wish to send to you at Elmhurst. If you wish to post a letter from the Unit, staff will be pleased to help. Access to Health Records Under the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act 1990, patients or their representative can have access to their records. An access request form is available from Legal Services, Patient Experience Team, who will be able to help you with any queries. Alternatively, you can access the form from the Trust website www.mcht.nhs.uk Further details are available on request from the Legal Services Team or on the website. The Legal Services Team contact number is 01270 273917 or email: legal.services@mcht.nhs.uk 20
Social Security and Pension If you are receiving any benefits or pension, please ask a relative or friend to deal with this during your stay. If this is not possible, bring your pension book with you and give it to your nurse for safekeeping. In some cases, benefits and pensions may be reduced whilst you are in the Unit. Fit Note/Claim Form If you require a fit note for your employers or if you are a member of a hospital health plan and need confirmation of the dates of your admission and require a claim form signing, please ask a nurse and they will then make the necessary arrangements on discharge. Driving and medical fitness If you are diagnosed with any illness which may affect your ability to drive and is likely to last for more than three months, you should notify the Drivers Medical Branch, DVLC, Swansea SA99 1AT, so that they can review the situation. If you are in doubt concerning your ability to drive, consult your Doctor. Telephone Reminder Service The Trust has a contract with an organisation which runs our telephone reminder service for Outpatient Appointments. To update your telephone number, or to opt out of this service, please call 01270 612200. 21
Organ Donor Register If someone in your family needed a lifesaving transplant, would you accept an organ from a donor? If you would take an organ, would you be prepared to donate to save a life? Around 6,500 people across the UK are waiting for an organ transplant. Sadly, hundreds will die before getting the life-saving transplant they desperately need. If you want to save lives, register to be an organ and tissue donor. It only takes two minutes, but it is important to tell your family you have done so as your family s support is needed for donation to go ahead. Don t leave it too late to talk to share your organ donation decision with your family. Join the millions of people who have already committed to donate their organs by signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23 (Lines are open 24 hours a day all year round. Calls are charged at your contracted rate for local calls). Customer Care Team The Customer Care Team provides a free, impartial and confidential service to patients, relatives, carers and visitors at Leighton Hospital, Crewe; Victoria Infirmary, Northwich; Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre, Winsford and Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP). The team will guide you, your family and friends through the different services available within the trust. We will liaise with staff, managers and other health and social care organisations on your behalf to resolve your concerns. 22
We offer advice on the complaints process, provide information on how to seek independent advice if you wish to make a complaint and we can provide information on local NHS services. We are also very pleased to receive compliments and thanks for the care and treatment you have received and ensure relevant staff receive copies of letters and emails that have been sent to us. The customer Care Team is available Monday to Friday 9.00am- 5.00pm (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays). The team can be contacted either by: Asking a member of staff to contact the Customer Care Team on your behalf Telephone: 01270 612410 (24 hour answer machine) Email: customercareteam@mcht.nhs.uk Or by writing to the Customer Care Team, Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4QJ. Alternatively, if you wish a member of the Customer Care Team to visit you at Elmhurst, you can ask a member of staff to contact the team. Healthwatch Cheshire is a free, confidential and independent service which can provide practical support and information to people who want to make a complaint about a service provided by the NHS. For information, telephone 0300 323 0006 or visit the website: www.healthwatchcwac.org.uk 23
Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is a Registered Charity that supports the excellent work of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Money donated to the charity is used to enhance and improve the care and experience of patients who are treated at our hospitals. Donations pay for state-of-the-art equipment, enhancements to environments and all those added extras that make the experience our patients have the best it can be. Examples include: Purchasing an additional 1m MRI Scanner. Paying for complementary therapies and counselling for patients being treated for cancer. Purchasing recliner chairs that enable patients to get out of bed sooner and sit more comfortably. Providing a new 1.8m state-of-the-art Neonatal Unit through our One in Eleven Appeal. You can make a donation to support the ward or area of your choice at any of our hospitals either on the ward or at the charity office (next to Main Reception, Leighton Hospital). When you make your donation you will be issued with a receipt. If you are a tax payer, please remember to Gift Aid your donation so that we receive an extra 25% at no extra cost to you. We have lots of ways we can support you if you would like to fundraise. Please contact us before you get started, so that we can provide you with everything you need to raise as much as you can for the area of your choice. 24
If you would like to make a donation or fundraise for us we would love to hear from you! Tel: 01270 273248 E-mail: charity@mcht.nhs.uk w: mchcharity.org Registered Charity No. 1049008 Leighton Hospital League of Friends Who we are The League of Friends has approximately twenty members from the local community who raise funds for the benefit of patients and staff. The League celebrated its 44 th Anniversary in June 2017 and supports the Trust s hospitals (Leighton Hospital; Victoria Infirmary, Northwich and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre, Winsford). What we do Funds are raised by members and friends of the League in a variety of ways such as Coffee Mornings, Sales Tables, attending local Charity Fayres and Bazaars, etc. We are also supported by donations and many friends who support our work. The League also provides within Leighton Hospital:- A well-stocked hospital shop A trolley service providing daily services to all wards In 2016 2017 we raised 65,687.01 allowing us to purchase: Reclining chairs for Ward 14 Neonatal Simulator Unit Specialised equipment 25
Beds on Orthopaedic Ward Blood pressure monitors Daily provisions of newspaper/magazines for patients in Treatment Centre and Discharge Lounge Can you help us? We will always need money to pay for things that the Trust cannot afford. This helps to bring the most advanced method of treatment, equipment and comforts available to both patients and staff. If you would like to be a member or are interested in the work of the League, please contact the League of Friends shop on 01270 612355 or visit our website at www.leightonleague-of-friends.org.uk Useful telephone numbers Leighton Hospital Middlewich Road Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4QJ Switchboard: 01270 255141 Statutory and voluntary organisations The Trust acknowledges the support provided by the following organisations: Red Cross Telephone Leighton Hospital Switchboard on 01270 255141and ask for extension 2789 Age UK Cheshire Tel: 01606 881668 Cheshire Carers Centre Helpline: 0800 085 0307 26
Social Services Tel: 01270 612122/612133 Stroke Association Tel: 01270 612237 Useful website NHS Choices Is the UK s biggest website. It provides a comprehensive health information service. To rate, comment or read our patient feedback online go to www.nhs.uk/comment This information is available in audio, Braille, large print and other languages. To request a copy, please ask a member of staff. 27
For your personal use Please feel free to use this page to record useful contact numbers and any other information i.e. out-patient appointments. Revised and reprinted January 2018 Review January 2020 Ref: DCS/ELM/0010118 28