Our Wards - Whiston Hospital - Ward 5B - Department of Medicine for Older People
Overview
5B is a 32 bedded Medicine for Older People ward based on level 5 at Whiston Hospital.
The care on 5B is Consultant led and delivered by an expert multidisciplinary team of Geriatricians, Nurses, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapists, junior Doctors and Social workers; their aim to provide patient centred comprehensive medical care to older people.
Geriatricians and the Multidisciplinary team are concerned with all aspects of health and illness in older people and treat a wide range of general medical conditions, but also possess the specialist skills that are needed to diagnose and manage illness in patients with multiple conditions and those living with frailty.
- The Team
The unit is overseen by the Matron for the Department of Medicine for Older People. The Matron takes responsibility for delivering the quality and safety of nursing care, along with taking a lead to develop and improve the patient experience.
The Nursing Team – The nursing team is led by the Ward Manager, who ensures delivery of a high standard of care for patients and support for staff.
Ward 5B also has a dedicated Discharge Coordinator who will liaise with the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers and health and social care community colleagues to support our patient’s safe discharge.
Medical Team – 5B has dedicated Consultant Geriatricians who undertake ward rounds each week and have clinical responsibility for their patients.
- Dr L Ranga – Consultant Geriatrician
- Dr L Kalathil – Consultant Geriatrician
- Dr S Ganjam - Consultant Geriatrician
- Dr H Cooper - Consultant Geriatrician
The ward is also supported by a cohort of junior Doctors.
Therapists (Occupational and Physiotherapists) - Provide a holistic and comprehensive review of all appropriate patients to maintain and improve the patient’s abilities. The therapists provide rehabilitation to support the patients discharge back into the community.
Pharmacist - Pharmacists have a key role in optimising medicines for elderly patients, in order to maximise the benefit and minimize harm. This is undertaken in conjunction with the patient and multidisciplinary team.
We encourage patients and their carers to contact any member of the team if required.
The unit also has a compliment of junior Doctors.
- Contacts
Please be aware that our phone lines are not manned by clerical staff 24 hours a day and ward staff must prioritise patient care first and foremost, please be patient if trying to get through to the ward phone lines, staff will always aim to answer calls in a timely manner.
If you wish to speak with the Consultant, Ward Manager, Matron, please speak to the nurse in charge
Clinical Director for the Department of Medicine for Older People – Dr M Horner, Consultant Geriatrician
Directorate Manager – Janet Sumner, 0151 430 1146
Matron – Susan Noon, 0151 430 1205
Ward Manager – Olivia Seddon, 0151 430 1481
Discharge concerns, links with social services – 0151 290 4812 / 07443 660 806
- Family
Patients and their family/ carer’s will be actively encouraged to participate in therapy. Members of the Multidisciplinary team will speak with family regarding the patient’s progress and on-going treatment plan.
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals supports ‘John’s Campaign’. If a member of your family is your carer, we want your carer to have the right to care for you on our ward if they so wish. We understand that this may not be possible for all patients.
- Personal Belongings
A reasonable supply of personal belongings can be left on the ward in the bedside locker; we advise that any valuables are left at home.
Patients do also benefit from having their own toiletries and items which are familiar to them.
We do not allow any fresh flowers or balloons.
Where this is not possible we have clothing and a supply of toiletries available.
- Meals and Drinks
Our catering team provide hot meals and drinks are throughout the day. Our set mealtimes are:
- 07:30 – Breakfast
- 12:00 – Lunch
- 17:00 – Evening Meal
We also offer hot and cold drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Special Diets
Where required our staff will inform the catering team of any special dietary requirements. Family are welcome to report any concerns to nursing staff if patients haven’t already.
Where appropriate it may be that our hospital Dieticians makes recommendations and adjustments to patient dietary requirements. Any adjustments made will be communicated to both patient and where needed family members.
- Safety
The ward is kept locked at all times. Entry can be accessed via the intercom at the front of the ward.
- Discharge from the Ward
Medications: If you require medications to take home with you, these will be given to you by the ward staff before you leave. Please don't leave without them. It can take a few hours for the Hospital Pharmacy to prepare your medications, so bear this in mind when you arrange a time to leave.
Outpatient appointments: You will be informed if an appointment has already been made for you or whether it will follow on in the post.
Transport: Please try to arrange your own transport home from the Hospital. Hospital transport is only available for patients who cannot as a result of their clinical condition use other forms of transport
- Suggestions, comments or complaints
We aim to make your stay with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and strive to provide the highest quality of care. If you or your family have any suggestions or comments, please discuss them with the ward manager or nurse in charge of your care, or you can discuss them (or any complaints) with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
Alternatively, please fill our comments and suggestions form available in our wards or download here and hand it to any staff member.
- Visiting
To access visiting times for wards across our hospitals, please click here for more information.
Please note, visiting can be restricted or suspended with immediate effect if there are any safety concerns due to a spread of infection on our wards or in our communities.
To confirm that the ward you are planning to visit is currently open, please call our main number tel: 0151 426 1600
