West Heath Hospital Ward 14

About our ward

West Heath Hospital (WHH) has two medical wards (Wards 11 and 14) and is based in the south of the city. The three wards make up 57 beds and are for adults aged 18 and above who would benefit from a short period of rehabilitation following illness or injury.

 

West Heath works within the ‘Discharge to Assess (D2A) Model’ using a ‘home first’ approach. The ward team’s aim is to begin discharge planning with the patient and their family on admission to the wards. Early discharge planning should ensure that when in-patient care is no longer required the necessary arrangements to return home or to a 24 hour placement are in place.

 

In accordance with the ‘Discharge to Assess Model’ our aim is to get patients to their appropriate discharge destination as soon as they are medically optimised and no longer need to be in hospital. Whilst rehabilitation begins in hospital this can be continued within the community , therefore avoiding keeping patients in hospital solely for this purpose.

 

There is a set criteria for admission and the referring hospital or team will liaise directly with WHH, ensuring a seamless handover of Care.

 

 

What should patients expect when they arrive?

At WHH there is consultant-led medical cover during daytime. An on-call consultant is available during evening and at night.

 

Doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists will assess soon after admission, and together with the patient identify goals to achieve during their stay.

 

Therapy assistants and healthcare assistants will also support and continue to work towards these goals, encouraging independence throughout the day and night as appropriate. 

 

We also have housekeepers and domestic staff who ensure nutritional needs are catered for and the cleanliness of the environment is maintained to a high standard. 

 

 

When should a patient expect to return home?

Planning to go home is always a priority and an estimated discharge date will be given shortly after admission, but this is a guide only, however if goals are achieved sooner or limited progress is made this date will be discussed with the patient and their family and may be adjusted. 

 

The ward team will support the patient and their family to prepare for discharge. If ongoing rehabilitation or care is needed at home, with consent, the team will make referrals to the necessary care agencies, and the Early Intervention Community Team (EICT). EICT will carry out an assessment of the patients’ rehabilitation needs within their home environment on discharge.

 

Our aim is to provide a positive experience to our patients within a safe, clean and friendly environment where patients dignity and confidentiality is respected and maintained at all times. 

 

 

Laundry

Please note that we are in the process of updating the information contained in the Ward Welcome Packs.  We are not able to wash personal items of clothing.  There are washing baskets or lockers in the patient’s room or bed area and it is important that relatives/friends check this regularly for dirty washing as this will have to be taken to be washed.  The dirty washing will be placed in red (Alginate) bags that can be placed straight into a washing machine and will dissolve during the washing cycle.

 

If there is a problem with washing personal items please speak to the nurse in charge.