Welcome to Erme Ward
Date issued: March 2025
For review: March 2027
Ref: D-419/KC/Ward/Welcome to Erme Ward
PDF: Welcome to Erme Ward.pdf [pdf] 201KB
Here is a brief description of the daily routine on our ward:
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6am Medication round starts.
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6am to 6:30am Patient observations are taken.
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8am Breakfast is served.
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10am Mid-morning tea/coffee is served.
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10am to 10:30am Patient observations are taken.
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Midday Lunch is served. Medication round.
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3pm Afternoon tea/coffee.
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4pm Patient observations are taken.
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6pm Medication round. Dinner is served.
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6pm to 6:30pm Patient observations are taken.
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8pm Hot drinks are served. Medication round.
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10pm to 10:30pm Patients observation are taken.
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2am to 2:30am Patients observation are taken (depending on clinical need)
Meals and refreshments
Meals are brought to your bedside by our catering and housekeeping team. Dietary requirements are catered for in our menus. We have a red tray system in place for patients who require additional support with eating to ensure they are seen and given the help needed. More information about dietary requirements, menus and how orders are taken are available on our website. Find out more about your stay in Hospital
If you need help
Please speak to us at any time during your stay, the call bell at your bed space is the big orange button. In the toilets it is a red cord. The bell is there to be used if you need to speak to a member of staff, please feel free to press or pull the bell and a member of staff will answer as soon as they are able to do so.
Visiting times are 9am to 8pm
Please speak to the nurse in charge if you would like to visit your relative outside visiting time.
Please ask your visitors not to bring in valuable personal belongings.
Car parking
For detailed information about car parking and concession rates visit our Getting here page
Personal belongings
Your personal belongings can be stored in your secure bedside locker. Valuables should be taken home by a relative or given to Nurse in Charge for safe keeping, a note of these will be made on your medical records. The hospital does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to any personal property you choose to keep with you.
Please inform one of the nursing team if you normally use a hearing aid, false teeth or walking aid. It is advisable that these items are labelled appropriately.
You will be asked about medications that you regularly take.
Preparing for your discharge home
Our top priority is to help you get better and support you to leave hospital when the time is right.
We will work with you to start planning right away to ensure you leave the hospital in a safe and timely manner. Read more about getting you home from hospital
Our Virtual Ward
– ask our colleagues if you are eligible
Our Virtual Ward enables patients to get hospital-level care at home, safely and in familiar surroundings. It helps patients speed up their recovery and frees up hospital beds for other patients. Just as in hospital, patients in our Virtual Ward are cared for by a multi-disciplinary team who can provide a range of tests and treatments. Please ask staff looking after you if this service could support the plans for your care and enable you to receive care in your home or continued setting of care. Find out more about our virtual ward
Telling us about your care
We actively encourage patients, carers, and families to engage with our matrons as a point of contact when you want to talk about things that have gone well, or about any issues you may have spotted during your stay that could be improved.
- We would encourage you in the first instance to discuss this on the ward by asking to speak with the ward manager or matron. Visit Meet the Matron to give feedback
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Find more information about our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Information/entertainment during your stay
Free wi-fi is provided, to access it go to the wi-fi settings on your device and select “NHS Guest”. You can also tune in to Hospital Radio Plymouth on 107.3fm & DAB+
Additional support is available for veterans, carers and patients with dementia.
Unpaid carers may be entitled to free parking and for drink and meal vouchers. Read our Carers Welcome booklet
Please let us know if you would like to arrange a visit from our pastoral care team or our volunteer patient visitors. We also offer an active response service for patients, these volunteers can pick up shopping or food, help run errands and take them to the shops/cafes/gardens etc. Please ask the ward team to contact them on your behalf on extension 38392
Martha’s Rule
Martha’s Rule means that patients, families, carers and staff have round-the-clock access to a rapid review from a separate care team if they are worried about a person’s condition. If you would like a review please speak with the ward manager/nurse in charge who will arrange this.
Infection Control
All wards in the hospital are subject to infection control guidelines. These are in place to keep you safe. Please let us know if you have had an infectious illness or been in contact with somebody who has. Please follow any advice given to you by your clinical team to reduce the risk of getting an infection.
