• Reference Number: HEY1210/2021
• Departments: Breast Services
• Last Updated: 25 February 2021

Ward 16, Castle Hill Hospital (Entrance Three)

Telephone numbers

• (01482) 768616 / (01482) 768388

• Please nominate one relative to telephone for news about your condition and pass the information on to others. This will assist staff by reducing the volume of calls they have to answer.

Visiting

• Relatives escorting you into hospital on the day of surgery are permitted to stay on the ward for a maximum of 30 minutes whilst you get settled.
• Patients should only receive 2 visitors at a time.
• A responsible adult must accompany children under the age of 16.
• Children under the age of 12 may only visit with the permission of the nurse in charge.
• In special cases, visiting hours may be altered with the agreement of the sister / nurse in charge.

Visiting times

• 14:00pm – 16:00pm
• 18:00pm – 19:30pm

Meal times

• 07:45am – 08:15am Breakfast
• 12:00pm – 12:30pm Lunch
• 17:00pm – 17:45pm Dinner
• Meal times are protected and visiting must be avoided at these times.

Mixed ward

• Please be aware the ward is mixed but there are well defined male and female areas.
• If, whilst in hospital you feel like you would like a chaperone during any treatment or examinations please inform a member of staff.

Flowers

Unfortunately we do not allow flowers to be kept on the ward. This is an infection control measure; therefore we ask that visitors be made aware of this. 

Smoking

The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy. Patients are reminded that should you feel the need to smoke you will be asked to sign a disclaimer on admission as you will need to leave the hospital grounds. Vaping is permitted within the hospital grounds. 

Make up / nail varnish

Make up needs to be removed prior to surgery. Nail varnish should be removed from fingers and toes and false nails are not permitted in theatre.

Suggestions of things to bring into hospital: 

• All the medications you are currently taking in their original packaging and a list of doses. Adjustments may be made to your prescription before you go home.
• Any walking aids you normally use, please attach a name label
• Loose fitting nightwear – night gowns, pyjamas, shorts and tee-shirts can be used as an alternative to pyjamas.
• Dressing gown and slippers – slippers should be well fitting and not backless. These are needed for walking down to theatre in.
• Comfortable loose fitting clothes to allow you to get dressed when you feel well enough.
• Toiletries, tissues and 1 –2 medium sized towels.
• Wet wipes are useful if you are unable to get to a sink, alcohol gel is placed around the ward and at the doors for everyone’s use for hand cleansing; please encourage your visitors to use it.
• Squash to drink if desired.
• Music, reading materials, crossword puzzles etc. and a small amount of money for newspapers.
• You may bring your mobile phone but please ensure it is fully charged. Ensure it is silenced or switched off to reduce the nuisance factor to other patients.

Valuables

• The ward has no facility for the storage of valuables; please avoid bringing items, such as jewellery, and large amounts of money into hospital with you.
• The Trust cannot accept responsibility or liability for property or money brought onto hospital premises, unless they are handed to a member of the nursing team for safe custody and an official receipt is issued.

Planning for discharge

Please inform the nursing team if you have any concerns for discharge at the earliest opportunity so that we can endeavour to help.  It is no longer necessary for patients to stay in hospital for a long period of time.  Early discharge means you can recover in your own home, in a familiar environment.

Transport

Please make every effort to have arrangements in place for someone to take you home from hospital as hospital transport should only be used in emergencies

Pain relief medication

Please ensure you have a supply of simple analgesia such as paracetamol or ibuprofen at home as these are not routinely supplied and it can delay your discharge if they have to be ordered from pharmacy.