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Date issued: April 2020

For review: April 2022

Ref: C-395/KH/ward/Bracken Unit

Bracken Unit is an acute Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit. We have 16 beds and care for male and female patients. If you require any assistance while you are on the unit, please do not hesitate to ask a member of the Unit team.

 

Ward philosophy

We aim to provide high quality care through an holistic approach, ensuring all individual needs are met in a caring and sensitive manner. We offer an open and friendly environment where the patient and family members can express their needs. We hope to maintain self-esteem, dignity and a sense of well-being and purpose to every individual while on our unit.

Unit visiting times

07.30 - 22.00

Please avoid visiting patients if you are feeling unwell, this reduces the risk of transferring infection. Try to limit your visitors to 2 at one time (we are aware on occasions this is not possible). We understand that there are times when visiting outside daytime hours is desired, and even an overnight stay on the Unit becomes necessary. We can accommodate your designated next of kin on the Unit. If this is a requirement please inform your nurse.

Mobile telephones

The use of mobile phones are permitted on Bracken Unit.

Calls to Bracken:

For general information: 01752 432494 Please note mornings and mealtimes are the busiest time on the Unit. Doctors’ ward rounds are not normally completed until late morning. It would therefore be appreciated, and hopefully more informative to you, if you could try to leave non-urgent calls until after 11am and avoid ringing during mealtimes. Due to confidentiality, a patient’s diagnosis cannot be discussed over the telephone. If you wish to see a Doctor to discuss your relative’s condition, please talk to the Ward Clerk or ring the ward to arrange an appointment.

Meal times

• Breakfast: 08:00 am
• Morning Coffee: 10:30am
• Lunch: 12 midday
• Afternoon Tea: 14:30pm
• Evening Meal: 18:00 pm

Dietary requirements:

Drinks are available for patients at any time, including supplementary drinks such as Build Up®, soups, milkshakes and pureed options. Please inform us if you require a “little and often” diet so the housekeeper is aware. If you would like to meet a Dietitian please ask the nursing staff. If you have special dietary needs i.e. vegan, gluten free, vegetarian then please inform the housekeeper who will make arrangements to accommodate your dietary requirements.

Personal food

Cold snacks, biscuits, juice, etc. can be brought in for patients but please do not use glass containers. Due to health and safety regulations, meals brought in cannot be warmed through on the ward. At times during your treatment you may need to follow a neutropenic diet, a neutropenic diet is for people with weakened immune systems; a dietitian will discuss this further with you if and when required, please discuss which items of food are allowed with the nursing staff on the Unit.

Valuables

We would like all patients to feel comfortable during their stay with us. It is lovely to have pictures and other home comforts, but due to limited space, we ask that only necessary items are brought in. Please avoid bringing valuables into hospital, if this is not possible please inform your Nurse who can put them somewhere safe. Remember the hospital does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to any personal property you choose to keep with you.

Hearing aids, false teeth, walking aids

Please inform one of the nursing team if you (or your relative/friend) normally use a hearing aid, false teeth or walking aid. Please label items appropriately.

Doctors’ ward rounds

The name of your Consultant and Nurse should be written on the board outside your room. Consultants ward rounds take place on a Monday and Thursday. A Doctor on your consultant’s team will see you every day during the week. Over the weekend there are always Haematology Doctors on call if required.

Dress for comfort

In order to maintain some normality we actively encourage you to dress in your day clothes where possible. Obviously this will not apply to everyone, especially if you are unwell and confined to your bed. Where possible please arrange to have day clothes with you rather than just your nightwear. It is hoped this will improve your general feeling of wellbeing.

No smoking policy

Derriford Hospital operates a strict smoke free policy. Smoking is not permitted inside any of the trust’s premises or anywhere in the grounds. Patients, members of the public and staff are not allowed to smoke on site. There are no smoking shelters available. Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. It is never too late. If you have tried before, it is worth trying again. Your stay in hospital is the perfect time to quit. Derriford has 2 stop smoking advisors who visit the wards. The advisor will give you support and can provide free medication to help you quit. If you would like to see the stop smoking advisor, please talk to your ward staff.

Plymouth NHS stop smoking service: 01752 314040 Ward staff can contact the service internally on 41040 If you do not want to stop smoking but would like some nicotine replacement therapy to make your stay more comfortable, please ask your ward staff. Or NHS Smoking Quit Line 0800 169 0169.

Hairdresser

A hairdresser is available for patients. To book an appointment please bleep: 89640. The price list is displayed on our notice board.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have a concern, problem or worry about your care or some aspect of the service provided and would like help from someone other than the ward staff or If you feel that you are not able to speak directly to a member of staff on the ward about your concern, you can ask staff to contact the PALS department who will arrange to assist you as quickly as possible.

Contact the PALS office (01752) 517657

Monday – Friday: 9:30am - 5pm

Phone us between 09:30am and 16:00 pm 01752 439884 or 432564

Internal calls 39884 or 32564

Email us plh-tr.PALS@nhs.net

Transport home

If you are fit enough to go home by car but are unable to arrange this yourself, the hospital car service is available to you and can be booked by the Ward Clerk. However it does incur a charge which is currently approximately 42 pence per mile and full payment in CASH ONLY will be collected by the driver.

Your comments

You will be offered a Friends & Family Test questionnaire to complete before you are discharged. This is an anonymous questionnaire which will allow you to voice your opinions on the unit and staff. We kindly ask that you post your completed questionnaire in the red post box next to the nurses’ station before you leave, rather than taking it away with you.

Flowers

Flowers are not allowed on Bracken Unit, this is due to the risk of infection and allergies.

What to expect during your stay on Bracken:

Please do not be offended: to ensure your level of care is maintained in accordance with University Plymouth Hospital Standards; your Nurse has to complete a number of care plans throughout the day.

•  Drug rounds: drug rounds commence from 06.00 am, from here they will then be 08.00, 12.00, 14.00, 18.00 and 22.00.
•  Self-Administration: if you feel able to administer your own medication there is a ‘Self Administration’ form that can be completed, please inform your nurses if this is required.
• Pressure Areas: During your admission there may be times you are not as active as you would be at home, therefore to ensure your vulnerable areas (bottom, heals, elbows etc.) are kept-in-tact you will be asked if we can assess these areas. The rationale for this is to avoid pressure area damage which can be induced as a result of being inactive.
• Risk of Falls: if you have had a fall in the last 12 months please inform your nurse, as they can then inform the team, and highlight this on the ward handover.
• Daily Weights: you will be weighed on a daily basis; this is so we can monitor any significant changes due to either fluid overload, reduced appetite, or other medical issues. From here we can refer your needs to the appropriate member of the team.
• Housekeeping: to avoid infection we change the bed linen daily (throughout the morning). If you require more blankets/sheets then please let your nurse know. If you want to bring in your own duvet, covers and pillows this is permitted however, it is your responsibility to arrange for these items to be laundered, as we do not accept responsibility for lost or damaged laundry.
•  Fluid Balance: your nurse will inform you if the need to collect your urine/stools is required. The rational for this is to have an accurate fluid balance, as this can alter your weight and if receiving treatment can have an effect on the dosing. We also take daily urinalysis.

Isolation

During your admission you may be subjected to isolation protocols, these are summarised below:

Protective Isolation (PI): this identifies you as being at risk of contracting infections from the outside world as your immune system is compromised. Therefore, visitors must comply with the instructions displayed outside your room.

Standard Isolation (SI): this identifies you as being a risk to other patients on the unit (please, do not panic). Therefore, as previously mentioned please ensure your visitors comply with the instructions displayed outside your room.

If any further information is required in regards to isolation protocols please ask a member of the nursing team.

Pastoral, spiritual and religious care

University Hospital Plymouth offers a Multi-Faith chaplaincy service. If you would like to see one of our Chaplains please inform a member of the team and they will arrange this for you. We also have a Chapel and Multi-Faith room allocated on Level 7; if you wish to attend a service or visit we can arrange this also.

Students

University Hospital Plymouth is a teaching hospital and medical students may be with qualified doctors during your stay. Please tell us if you do not want them there, your mental welfare is as important to us as your physical welfare. This will not affect the standard of care you are given.

Mustard Tree

The Mustard Tree has been created to support people with cancer, their families and carers. The Mustard Tree was created for you, and will do their best to respond to whatever you feel you need. Your family and carers are free to use the Mustard Tree also. You can arrange to visit the Mustard Tree if you are an inpatient, or arrange for someone to come up and see you, just speak to your nurse who will be more than happy to help.

The Centre is located on Level 3 above the Plymouth Oncology Centre at Derriford. Opening Times Mon-Fri: 09.00-17.00. Tel: 01752 430060

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies can be a valuable aid to relaxation and can help to provide the ability to “switch off” at a time when your mind seems overwhelmed. Within the Mustard Tree a variety of complementary therapies are available to both patients and their carers. Therapies regularly offered include: Massage, Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy and Reflexology.

These treatments can be performed on Bracken or within the Mustard Tree (depending on isolation requirements).

Advice and information

• Benefits and Financial support.
• Counselling.
• Wig Service.
• Living Well Workshops.

St Luke’s:

The team offers support to you, your family and friends in a variety of ways. Whilst you are in hospital, the team will work alongside your doctors and nurses to provide advice on pain and symptom control.

Plymouth and District Leukaemia Fund (PDLF): The PDLF is a major contributor to the unit and any funds raised are used to provide equipment and services not funded by the NHS.

If you or your relatives require any further assistance or information please do not hesitate to speak to one of our team, no concern must go unheard.

We hope your stay on Bracken is a comfortable one and your needs are met with compassion and empathy.

Points of contact:

Matron: Sharon Raymond

Ward Manager: Anna Gardiner

Junior Sisters: Stuart Green, Ian Ray, Jemma Hooper, Kirsty Knight, Sara Ambrose.

Ward Clerks: Karen Cummins & Donna Sluggett