ADMISSION TO MUCKAMORE ABBEY HOSPITAL

When you arrive at Muckamore Abbey Hospital you will be shown around your ward and given the names of the ward doctor and the Consultant responsible for your care. All of these details may be found on the patient information card enclosed at the back of this handbook.

Following admission to Muckamore Abbey Hospital a number of professionals will be involved in assessing your needs and agreeing, with you and your relative or carer, targets for your treatment.

NURSING STAFF

When you arrive at the ward you will meet with nursing staff and be told whom your named nurse shall be. A named nurse is a trained nurse who is responsible for all aspects of your care whilst in Hospital. Your named nurse will, where possible, involve you and your relative or carer in drawing up your care plan. Your care plan will include relevant details of your history and information about your needs and abilities including what you like or dislike.

Nursing staff will get to know you and talk to you. They need to know how you feel at different times, if you sleep well, if your appetite is good or bad. They also need to see how well you get on with other patients and staff and to record their observations. This type of information is necessary to understand the best form of treatment you require while in hospital. All information is kept confidential.

Your care plan will be changed, as your condition requires. If you have a nurse in the Community the named nurse will also speak with them.

MEDICAL STAFF

Shortly after your admission you and your relative or carer will be seen by the ward doctor. This is to get a recent history about the reason for your admission and to check your general physical and mental health.

Other medical investigations may happen within a few days. These will include routine blood tests and may include other tests such as an EEG.

Normally within a few days of admission, you will be seen by a Consultant Psychiatrist. Sometimes this will be the Consultant who has looked after you at home.

You will receive ongoing Psychiatric and Medical Assessments throughout the time you are in hospital. Sometimes your medication may need to be changed during the admission. All of this will be discussed with you and your relative or carer.

The Doctor or Consultant is available by appointment to discuss any aspects of your treatment with you or your relatives. This can be arranged through the nursing staff or by contacting the Consultant’s secretary direct by telephone at Muckamore Abbey Hospital. Tel. (028) 94 463333..

SOCIAL WORKER

There is a social worker allocated to each ward. You and your relative or carer will be informed of their name and how to contact them on the day of your admission.

The social worker will usually meet with you within the first week of your admission, but an appointment may be arranged sooner if required. The social worker will if necessary liaise with your community social worker and with daycare staff .

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

On coming to the hospital you should bring with you an ample supply of clothing, footwear, nightwear, toiletries, toothbrush and comb or brush. If you use any special aids these should also be brought. If you are taking any medicines or tablets please bring them along on the day of admission.

You are also encouraged to bring other personal belongings for your own comfort (eg. favourite books/tapes etc). You should try not to bring in valuable items such as jewellery. However, if necessary, arrangements can be made available for the safekeeping of such items.

CLOTHING

The hospital has a personal laundry service. In order to protect your clothing each item is individually marked with your name and ward. All clothing sent to the laundry will be laundered and returned within 3 working days.

MEALS

The Hospital provides a flexible meals service. Meals are chosen by you from a menu card. If you need a special diet then our dietician will discuss this with you. Meals are eaten in your ward dining room or area.

There is also the Hospital Community Centre where your friends and relatives can purchase snacks and refreshments. Opening hours are between 9 am and 6 pm everyday including Saturday and Sunday.

BENEFITS

You may be eligible to claim some state benefits whilst still in hospital. Details about what you are entitled to can be discussed on admission with your named nurse or social worker.

If you are not capable of managing your own money then the Hospital will normally act as your appointee. This is to make sure you receive the maximum benefit from the money to which you are entitled. Each patient has their own account maintained by the finance department in the Hospital.

Your money is used to buy clothes and pay for outings, trips etc. on your behalf. Where you are well enough then nursing staff will want to involve you in decisions about how your money is spent. You will also receive pocket money so that you are able to buy sweets, minerals, tobacco goods etc.

All money received by the hospital on your behalf is credited to your personal account and a record kept of all expenditures. Where a friend or relative gives in money to the ward for you it is the policy of the hospital to issue a receipt at the time the money is handed over.

PATIENTS’ FORUM

Most wards and day care departments have patients’ forums where you can express your opinion on the general services provided. If you wish to join a patient’s forum please contact the nurse in charge of your ward.

INFORMATION

Relatives are welcome to telephone nursing staff on the ward at anytime for an update on your progress. Nursing staff will also keep you and your relatives or carers informed of your progress and the outcome of the reviews of your care.

Personal Information

We ask you for information about yourself so that you can receive proper care and treatment. Sometimes the law requires us to pass on information to other organisations e.g. Social Security Agency etc. Everyone who works for the Health and Personal Social Services has a legal duty to deep information about you CONFIDENTIAL. Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential. If you wish to know more about the information held about you, please feel free to speak to your named nurse or doctor.

TEACHING AND RESEARCH

Muckamore Abbey is a teaching hospital which trains professionals in the care of people with a learning disability. Professional staff may carry out research and may ask you to become involved in their study. You do, of course, have the right to refuse to take part in research or teaching, if you do become involved you will be helping us to provide an even better service for the future.