The environment of the ward allows patients to be nursed in spacious six bedded bays of single sex. Guiting Ward receives admissions predominantly from the Acute Care Unit Cheltenham (ACUC), also accepting specialist respiratory patient’s from other departments and booked admissions from outpatient clinics.

On arrival to the ward, patients and relatives will be introduced and welcomed, allaying any anxieties there may be. We believe it is essential that patients, relatives and staff communicate to ascertain surrounding information of the patient’s medical condition, both past and present, gaining insight and getting to know patients, confirming details to aim for a return in normal activity as soon as possible.

All patients on the Ward will be assessed by a Respiratory Consultant within 24 hours of transfer or the next working day.

Nurses encourage that at the earliest opportunity patient’s own medications and personal effects are brought to the ward to enable patient comfort and no omissions in care. We are unable to allow fresh flowers to be kept on the ward for health and safety reasons.

Relatives must be aware that due to the Data Protection Act and confidentiality, nurses are unable to give any clinical information via the telephone when contacted unless patients consent is obtained.

Mobile phones can be used on Guiting Ward, however patients and relatives must ensure that telephone ringtones don’t disturb and/or alarm patients who are resting, telephone ringing and subsequent conversations do not disturb important patient/healthcare professional discussions, camera phones are not used to compromise patient confidentiality and alarm tones must not allow alarms on medical equipment to be overlooked if confused with telephone ring tones.

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.
 

Consultant Ward Rounds / When will I see a Doctor?

There are two ward rounds per week undertaken by each consultant. Junior doctors will also perform ward rounds every day and are based on the ward for any enquiries. Should any relatives wish to meet the consultants an appointment can be made via their respective secretaries.
 

Going Home

When you arrive on the ward your nurse will advise you approximately how long your stay in hospital will be. We hope you have already made some plans and preparations for your discharge and how you will manage when returning home. We are unable to provide hospital transport to take you home and this is another consideration to be made prior to admission. Discharge planning starts as soon as you are admitted as we like to know your social circumstances and give you a proposed date for discharge. A more definite date is normally given 24 hours before your discharge.

For your discharge to go ahead your team of doctors, the physiotherapist, occupational therapist and nurse have to be happy that you are fit and ready. Prior to your discharge you may receive all or some of the following: an outpatient’s appointment, a practice nurse appointment, medication and aids from the physiotherapist and occupational therapist.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask the nursing staff.