Welcome to Dorrell Ward - The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Patient information – Dorrell Ward
Welcome to Dorrell Ward
We are a specialist surgical ward dealing with both planned and
emergency admissions for head and neck surgery (Eye and ENT
conditions). We also accommodate and care for patients with other
conditions when necessary. Although we have both male and
female patients, our four bedded bays are single sex only. The ward
also incorporates the Eye Day Bed Unit for planned eye surgery.
Visiting times
Visiting time is from 2pm until 8pm daily. We request that these times are
observed as the ward is very busy and it is important that our patients get the
treatment and rest that they require. Please speak to the nurse in charge if
you need to visit outside these hours.
If you are arriving for surgery then any relative/friend that accompanies you is
welcome to help you settle in but we ask that they then leave the ward and
return during normal visiting hours.
Infection Control
We are committed to the highest standards of infection control and it is part of
our normal ward routine. We therefore ask that visitors are restricted to two per
patient and that they do not sit on the bed. If visitors have been ill then please
ask them not to visit until they are symptom free, and have been for 48 hours if
they have had a stomach bug. Children should be well supervised. There is
hand disinfectant available throughout the ward which we would ask you and
your visitors to use.
Welcome to Dorrell Ward, October 2009 1

Welcome to Dorrell Ward
Parking
The nearest car park to the Eye Block is the multi storey car park accessed
from Craven Road. Levels 0-2 are for public parking. Parking is Pay and
Display. Free or concessionary parking permits are only available under
specific circumstances; for example close relatives visiting gravely ill or long
stay patients. If you feel that you or your relatives are eligible then please
contact the nurse in charge of the ward who can issue a temporary
concessionary permit at their discretion.
Telephoning for information
We understand that your relatives and friends will be concerned about you
while you are in hospital but we are unable to give out any specific personal
information about your condition over the telephone. The ward telephones are
in constant use so it is advisable to nominate one family member to contact
the ward for general information after 10.30am; they can then update other
family members as required.
Meals
Breakfast is from 7.30am and a variety of cereals and toast is available. Lunch
is from 12.30pm and supper at 5.30pm. Details of the daily menus are
available in the bedside locker. If you require a special diet then please let the
ward staff know as soon as possible so that we can inform the catering
department. Hot drinks are served at intervals throughout the day. The WRVS
visit the ward daily on week days, usually in the morning, selling newspapers,
magazines and confectionary.
Hospedia facilities (formerly Patientline)
Hospedia (hospital media) is available at the bedside and provides a radio,
telephone and television for each patient. The radio is free to use following
registration but a card needs to be purchased for the television and telephone.
The nearest card machine for this is on Level 2 by the ‘welcome’ desk and on
Level 4 of the Eye Block, next to the lift.
Welcome to Dorrell Ward, October 2009 2

Welcome to Dorrell Ward
Personal belongings
We strongly advise that you do not bring jewellery, valuables or large sums of
money into hospital. Please ask your relatives or friends to take these items
home. If this is not possible then please hand them to the ward staff. The
items will be locked in the hospital safe and you will be given a receipt for
them. The Trust is not liable and does not take any responsibility for loss or
damage to your personal property. Whilst we accept that a few ‘home
comforts’ are reassuring and necessary, we have a limited amount of space
available so request that any bulky or large items be taken home and that the
patient and visitor areas be kept free from clutter.
Mobile phones
The use of mobile phones is now permitted on the ward. However, we request
that they are kept in ‘silent’ mode to avoid disturbing others and the taking of
photos is strictly forbidden to protect confidentiality.
Flowers
Flowers are no longer permitted on the ward.
Chaplaincy
The Hospital Chaplaincy team consists of members of many denominations to
provide pastoral, spiritual and religious care for both patients and their
families. They are available at any time of the day or night and requests or
referrals for visits are welcomed. The ward staff will be pleased to contact
them on your behalf if requested. A leaflet giving all the details is also
available for you and your relatives to read.
Discharge information
Upon discharge from the ward you will be given a letter detailing the treatment
you received during your stay and any instructions relevant to your aftercare.
This is for your personal records only. We notify your GP directly with this
information.
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Welcome to Dorrell Ward
If you require any medications to take home, these will be ordered for you by
the nurse co-ordinating your discharge. Please check that these medications
have been received on the ward before you arrange to be collected and taken
home. If you require a sickness certificate then please let the ward staff know
as soon as possible so that it can be prepared for you. If you need to be seen
in an outpatient clinic, the details will be sent to you in the post after your
discharge from the ward. If you have any queries or problems concerning your
appointment, please contact the appointments department directly on 0845
900 7000.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS is an impartial, confidential NHS service that can provide patients,
relatives and carers with ‘on the spot’ help, support and information. They can
liaise with staff and managers to resolve any issues you may wish to raise
concerning your stay or help if you feel you have any concerns. Details of
PALS services can be found in the Talk to us leaflet which is available
throughout the hospital or contact PALS directly on 0118 322 8338.
Talk to us
Our specialised team of staff are committed to delivering the best care to all
our patients and their families and we endeavour to make your stay on Dorrell
Ward as comfortable as possible. We would appreciate any feedback you feel
able to give so that we can continue to improve the ward environment and our
standards of care. This may be done via the Talk to us leaflet available on the
ward or from the Trust website and can be done anonymously unless you
would like to receive a written response.
Full details of Trust policies and general patient information can also be found
on the hospital website: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk
Dorrell Ward: 0118 322 7172 / 8101
Dorrell Ward, October 2009
Review due: October 2010
Welcome to Dorrell Ward, October 2009 4