Upon Arrival
- If you are well enough, we will show you around the ward and the facilities available, such as the toilets and showers. Please ask if you need further information or do not understand anything.
- You will be given a wristband stating your name and patient ID number. This is an important safeguard to ensure you receive the right treatment.
- Ask for a denture pot, if you need one.
Smoke-free
Please do not smoke in the hospital building, grounds or car parks, as they are all smoke-free
We want to help people stop smoking. Why not call the North Devon Smoking Cessation Service on 01884 836024
or see your GP before coming into hospital? The benefits begin the minute you stop smoking. If you need advice on giving up while in hospital, please talk to your nurse.
In exceptional circumstances, patients might be permitted to smoke in a designated area. Please ask the ward manager for information.
Calling a Nurse
To call the nurse, press the large orange button on the bedside handset. When pressed, a red light appears in the main corridor to alert the nurse. At the same time, a bell will ring intermittently until the nurse turns it off.
Who’s Who
Click here for more information.
Ward rounds
When doctors and nurses do their ward rounds, usually in the mornings, they will plan your treatment. We will invite you to share your opinions, discuss your treatment and ask questions during these rounds.
Drug rounds
Staff give out medication at regular intervals, usually before meal times and last thing at night. Please ask if you feel you need other medication between drug rounds.
In the interests of safety, please do not interrupt the nurses during drug rounds unless it is an emergency.
Pain relief
Pain-relieving treatments are readily available. Some are given at mealtimes, others only when asked for. Please say if you are not getting enough treatment for pain, so that the prescription can be improved.
Sleep
Many patients find it difficult to sleep well in hospital. The ward staff are able to advise, and if needed, sleeping tablets can be prescribed.
Keeping mobile
Unless you are medically advised not to, you are encouraged to move at regular intervals to encourage blood circulation and to prevent stiffening of the joints and pressure sores. These are areas of damaged skin that are usually caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long. Try and change position often when sitting on a chair or lying on the bed.
Cleanliness and preventing infection
Click here for more info
Fire
If you discover a fire
- Call for assistance and operate the nearest fire alarm.
- Move away from the danger area and wait for further instructions from the ward staff.
On hearing the fire alarm
- If it is safe to do so, stay in your ward area and wait for instructions from the ward staff.
- If you need to move away from danger, follow the fire exit signs, but stay on the ward until you are instructed to move.
Telephones, television and radio
Each hospital bed has a Hospedia unit providing telephone, television, radio and internet access. Some services are free, others are purchased. Cards can be bought via vending machines on wards or paid for by credit card, using the Hospedia handset.
Hospedia provides subscribing patients with a telephone line and a telephone number, which can be given to relatives and families. Incoming calls are charged at a premium rate: please call 0800 959 3100 or log onto www.hospedia.co.uk for details of costs.
Please ask your friends and relatives to keep calls to the general ward telephone to a minimum, as often nurses have to leave their work, caring for patients, to answer the phone. Please nominate one person to keep in contact with the ward and relay any messages and progress reports to and from other friends and relatives.
Mobile phones are not allowed on the wards and in clinical areas, but can be used in nominated areas such as stairwells and in the foyer. Please switch off all mobile phones and ask staff where you are permitted to use them.
Leaving the ward
The nurses caring for you are responsible for your safety and wellbeing during your stay. If you wish to leave the ward, please tell a nurse where you are going.
Gifts and donations
Our staff are not able to accept personal gifts or gratuities, but we are happy to accept donations to Trust Amenity Funds or on behalf of the North Devon District Hospital League of Friends. For details, please ask the nursing staff.
Food
We serve three daily meals on our wards and have introduced protected mealtimes (see Visitors, privacy & dignity section).
You choose your meals from a daily menu. If you have any special requirements or can’t see anything that suits you, please tell a nurse or housekeeper. Sometimes, because of an operation or as part of your treatment, you will not be allowed to eat or drink.
Mealtimes on the ward are approximately:
Breakfast 7.30am – 8.30am
Lunch 11.45am – 12.30pm
Supper 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Spiritual care
The Chaplaincy Department provides spiritual and pastoral care and support for patients, visitors and staff particularly at times of personal stress or trauma. Although Christian in its staffing and services, the Chaplaincy provides spiritual support for people of all faiths or none. We have contacts with various local and national faith communities and will try to ensure that everyone’s spiritual needs are met.
The Chapel is on Level 1 beside the library. A communion service is held here every Sunday at 9.00am. The chapel is specifically available for Muslim users every Friday 1.00 1.30pm.
Copies of the New Testament provided by the Gideons are placed in all bedside lockers throughout the hospital, and copies of the Koran are available for loan from the Chapel and the library.
The chaplains and their voluntary staff visit the wards regularly and try to see all patients. Requests for specific visits to individual patients can be made by staff contacting the Chaplaincy.
To contact the Chaplaincy, phone the switchboard 01271 322577, extension 2362 and ask for the Chaplaincy.
Alternatively, ask a nurse or ward clerk to make contact for you.
Information centre
An Information Centre for patients, the public and staff is based in the main foyer on Level 2 of the hospital. It stocks written material on a wide variety of health issues, including medical and surgical conditions, healthy lifestyles, benefits and social care.
Two computers are available for public use, with links to NHS and other health-related websites, including those of national support groups. Staff can help you find the information you want, and print out material if required.
If the Centre does not have what you need, staff will help you find the information from another source. Information can be made available in other formats, such as large type, or in languages other than English.
The Information Centre is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. You can also contact the Centre by phone on 01271 314091 or by email: InformationCentre@ndevon.swest.nhs.uk
The internet resources can also be accessed here
