The unit provides 24 hour emergency assessment cover and comprises an ambulatory care area, TLOC (Transient Loss Of Consciousness) clinic, a nurse-led deep vein thrombosis/cellulitis clinic and an acute medical clinic, all of which provide assessment, treatment and investigations for patients not requiring admission.

There are also acute assessment and short-stay areas.

Useful ward information:

• Dayroom with television
• Mobile phones are permitted for incapacitated patients at the bed side; otherwise patients are encouraged to use their mobile phones outside and away from monitoring equipment.

Ward Matron: Mel Ivory

Sisters: Emma Bell & Tanya Darville

Acute Physicians: Dr Hannah Smith, Dr Carl Heffernan, Dr Craig Prescott and Dr Robin O'Gorman

Contact telephone number: 0300 019 8480

Visiting:Please see Trust Visitors Charter here

The Acute Medical Unit is on the ground floor of the main hospital. No children under 5 are permitted on the ward. 

Discharge home information: Patients are advised on the consultant ward round of future plans or investigations. An immediate discharge summary is given to patients on discharge as written confirmation of all details. Prior to discharge, a member of the team will check and explain all medications to be taken with the patient.

Child health team

Karen Fernley - Senior Matron for Child Health

David Hannington - Child Health Manager

Mark Tighe - Clinical Director for Child Health

Victoria Case - Ward sister for A1/ HDU

About A1

• A1 ward has eleven beds, three bay beds and eight single cubicles.
• We have central monitoring on A1 so high dependency patients can be cared for in any of the beds.
• Our patients range from 0 until their 16th birthday, but in special circumstances we do care for some young people until their 18th birthday and they have left full time education.
• On A1 we look after children and young people with differing health needs so doctors from a range of specialities are likely to be seen around the ward.
• At all times you will have an allocated nurse caring for you/your child - please feel free to ask if you're unsure who it is at any given point.

Staff

• A variety of staff work on the wards on a daily basis. See our photos boards in the corridor.
• Nursing and medical students can also be found on the wards helping you care for you/your child.

Play team

We are lucky to have a team of play specialists based across the children’s unit. They will come and introduce themselves to you whilst you are admitted. We have a play room full of games and activities for you to enjoy located in B1.

School room

We have our own school room here at the hospital based on A1. All school aged children will be encouraged to attend with medical staff agreement.

Food and drink

• Breakfast is provided from the ward kitchens. Please feel free to ask your nurse to help you, or look in the kitchen and help yourself to cereal or toast for your child if they are allowed to eat.
• Parents/carers are welcome to help themselves to drinks (hot/cold) and breakfast in return for a donation placed in the black box on the wall.
• The kitchen has a fridge which we can store your own food in for you/your child but make sure it is labelled. Freezer facilities are available on neighbouring wards.
• Menus for lunch and supper are provided for patients and breast feeding mothers of babies less than 6 months of age. Please make us aware of any allergies/intolerances or cultural preferences.

Visiting times

Please see Trust Visitors Charter here

• Parents/named carers are welcome on the ward at all times but we do request that only one parent/carer is resident overnight on the ward.
• Children/siblings may only visit the ward in exceptional circumstances.
• If you would like any other visitors during your stay, please discuss this with the nurse looking after you.

Facilities

Costa Coffee - Costa Coffee is located in the main hospital entrance. Open Monday - Friday 7am - 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am - 6pm

WHSmith - WHSmith is located also in the main entrance offering a range of drinks, snacks, toiletries and magazines. M&S Food can also be purchased here. Open 7am - 8pm daily. Weekend times may vary.

Dolphin Restaurant - Dolphin Restaurant on the lower ground floor is the hospitals main restaurant serving a large selection of food and drinks. Open 7am - 7:30pm except between 12pm - 1:30pm which is for staff only.

Observations

• Many different types of observations may be needed to care for you/your child effectively.
• They are likely to be needed both day and night and sometimes very frequently so bedside lights may be required to be left on low overnight, and/or doors/curtains left open so we can do these checks effectively.

Infection control

• If you or your child is infectious, please remain in your cubicle and follow the infection control guidelines.
• Parents to ensure strict hand hygiene measures are followed when entering/leaving cubicle.
• If you or your child develops any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting throughout the admission, please inform the nurse caring for you immediately.

Parking

Parking is available at the hospital car park. If you are in overnight with your child or for an extended stay, please speak to your nurse who will be able to provide you with a discounted car parking form to take to the car park office on exit.

Feedback

We truly value your feedback.

Please click here to complete our Friends and Family feedback form.

If you have any compliments/concern/complaints please speak to a senior member of the nursing team.

Click here to take you to the patient advice and liaison service for UHD hospitals.

For useful information please click here which will take you to the recommended healthier together website.

Stroke services at University Hospitals Dorset have now been consolidated into one central site, located at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Head to this page for more information. 

Visiting: Please see Trust Visitors Charter here

Please do not visit if you have had any diarrhoea or sickness in the last 72 hours, or have cough/cold symptoms.

Our team

Sister Melanie Bennett is our Ward Sister.

Visiting times

We have set visiting times to allow us to provide patient care and for our patients to rest. Visiting times are 2.30 -  4.00 and 6.30 to 8pm. There is a maximum of two visitors at any one time. 

Meal times

We operate a protected meal time system. This means that visiting is not allowed during this time as nutrition is an important part of a patient’s recovery. If you would like someone visiting to support you during meal times, please discuss this with the nurse in charge.

Our meal times are 12.30-1.30pm and 5.30-6.30pm.

Our performance

If you would like to see how we are performing as a ward, you can do so here.

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