Welcome to Woodcock Ward
Date issued: June 2023
Review date: June 2025
Ref: C-540/CS/Ward/Welcome to Woodcock Ward
PDF: Welcome to Woodcock Ward final June 2023.pdf [pdf] 172KB
Parents Kitchen, Lounge and showers
Please feel free to use our parents’ kitchen and lounge. These are located on the left-hand side of the corridor leading to the entrance/exit of the ward. Our kitchen is well stocked with items to make yourselves hot drinks, you can find milk in the fridge for your use. Please feel free to bring in your own supplies if desired and any specific food or drinks that your child may want. Please ensure you place a name label on anything you put in the fridge. Due to health and safety risks, children are not allowed in the parents’ kitchen. There are also sterilising bags available should you need them. There are also showering facilities available, please ask for directions.
Mealtimes and dietary requirements
All patients and carers that stay overnight are offered a simple breakfast at around 08:00. Patients are then offered and provided with Lunch and Tea at 12:00 and 17:00. For parents and carers there are several places within the hospital site to get food. The main restaurant is on level 7, and there is Warrens bakery on level 6 which is open 24hours. Please notify a member of staff of any dietary requirements for your child.
Visiting policy and parking
Visiting hours on the ward are 08:00 – 20:00, with only two visitors per bed space, this includes the parent/carer that is staying with the patient. We only allow one parent/carer to stay overnight. Parking permits are available for the duration of your admission, please ask if you require one.
When will my child be seen by a Doctor?
Ward round begins after the Doctors have completed morning handover, usually around 09:00, it is prioritised in order of clinical need and will start in the High Dependency Unit before coming to the ward to see your child. Timings can vary depending on the busyness of the department.
What can my child do whilst we are here?
We have a variety of things to help keep your child occupied these include an activities room on the ward with toys and games available along with a sensory room which is opened daily. We have a play service who are available from Monday-Saturday to see if you would like any activities or toys. They also provide support during your stay and can help prepare our patients for any procedures they are due to have, helping to reduce any anxiety they may have. Please ask staff for further details. There is an onsite school room for school aged children to access if well enough, or they can have educational activities to complete at the bedspace provided by the teacher.
When will my child be discharged?
When your child is well enough to go home the doctors will notify the nursing team. After the ward round has been completed Doctors will complete discharge paperwork and notify pharmacy if any medicines are required. Sometimes this process can take some time, your nurse will be along with all paperwork and medicines once it is ready for you to be discharged.
Feedback and Complaints
We welcome all types of feedback and on discharge you will be given the opportunity to complete a Friends and Family Test questionnaire.
If there is anything you would like to discuss during your stay, please speak to a member of the ward team. The Nurse in charge, and our ward sisters are all happy to speak with you if they are available.
Our Manager, Carly Wright, has an office based on the ward and is happy to discuss and concerns with you if she is available.
If you feel like your concerns have not been addressed by the ward staff then you are able to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), please ask for information.
Passing on your Thanks
If you would like to pass on thanks to a member of the team, you can do this by completing a Friends and Family Test questionnaire and adding the name of the person you would like to thank. Your feedback will be passed on to the relevant person by the management team. You can also send a thank you card for free using the saying thank you page on the Plymouth hospitals website
https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/saying-thank-you
