Chedworth Suite is a 20 bedded specialist unit providing day surgery services to the population of Cheltenham and the surrounding area. We care for men and women undergoing a variety of surgical procedures as day cases. The unit also has 6 overnight beds for patients who may need an extended stay. The types of surgery undertaken include gynaecology, urology, vascular, general surgery and orthopaedic surgery. The procedures undertaken are incredibly varied, from hernia repairs, varicose vein surgery, circumcisions, hand and knee surgery and fertility investigations to minor procedures such as prostate biopsies and the removal of skin lesions.

The unit is staffed by qualified nurses who are supported by  healthcare assistants. There is a ward manager (senior sister) in charge of the ward supported by a junior sister. There is also a lead nurse and deputy lead nurse who have oversight of the unit. Student nurses have placements on the unit and care for patients under the guidance of a qualified nurse.

The unit is opens Monday morning at 7.30am and closes Friday evening at 8pm. The unit is located at the back entrance of the hospital on the first floor in the Centre Block.  Access to the carpark is via Keynsham Road.

 

What to expect when you are admitted to our ward

On arrival to the Chedworth suite, please report to reception. The receptionist will take your name and let the nurses know you have arrived. You will be asked to have a seat in the waiting room until the nursing staff are ready to call you through. Day surgery patients for the morning lists will arrive in the unit at 8am, patients for the afternoon lists will arrive at 1pm.

Once you have been allocated a trolley, a nurse will come and introduce themselves and prepare you for theatre. This is the person responsible for your care, who you can ask questions of and who will support you through the day. If your nurse goes off shift, they will introduce you to the nurse taking over responsibility for your care. The nurse will also inform you where you are on the theatre list and give you a rough estimate of when you will go to theatre. An exact time cannot be given as procedures vary in length.

You can have a relative or friend stay with you until you go to theatre, then they will have to sit in the waiting area or return later when your surgery is completed. There is not space for more than one person to accompany you. We have single sexed bays, so if your relative or friend is of the opposite sex the curtains will be drawn around the trolley to give privacy to the other patients. No babies or children are allowed in the unit, so please ensure that childcare arrangements have been arranged prior to admission. There are no visiting times for the day patients as they are short stay. The visiting time for the patients staying overnight is from 6pm to 8pm.

 

Please be aware that the Trust is now a smoke free NHS. Smoking is not permitted in any building or within the grounds of any of our sites. Information and support is available to any patients who wish to stop smoking. Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available to help reduce your cravings during your stay.

 

How to contact the ward

You and your family will be informed of the best time to telephone for news following your surgery.

Telephone numbers: -

Main reception: 0300 422 3659

Female Bay: 0300 422 4739

Male Bay: 0300 422 4005

Annexe: 0300 422 2519

 

What else do we do?

Pre-Assessment Clinics

We run a nurse led pre-admission clinic to ensure a problem free admission and discharge for patients. Nurses assess the suitability of patients to undergo day surgery. An assessment will be performed which will include past medical history, regular medication, home circumstances and next-of-kin details. Blood pressure and pulse are checked and height and weight measured. All patients now undergoing day surgery are screened for MRSA. This clinic is a good opportunity for patients to get to know staff and to familiarise themselves with the unit. Patients are also encouraged to ask any questions or express any concerns they have.

We can hopefully reassure patients and answer any questions about day surgery . At the end of the appointment tests such as blood samples or ECG (heart trace) need to be done. If these are required, clear instructions on when and where to go will be given.

 

Clinics

Chedworth Suite is also the location for a number of specialised clinics. These include Pain Clinics and Urology Clinics for cystoscopy (a look into the bladder), and prostate biopsy. There is also a nurse run clinic for bladder treatments.