Patient Meal Times
As diet can be part of medical treatment, please check with nursing staff before leaving food with patients Catering providers within NHS Lanarkshire provide a choice of healthy well prepared food to all people in our care. It is recognised however that visitors will occasionally bring food into our premises for patient consumption. The following guidelines are aimed at ensuring this is done in a safe manner. All packaging must be intact with “use by” and “best by” dates being strictly observed.
Foods suitable for bringing into hospital:
- Pre-wrapped biscuits and cakes
- Fresh fruit and fruit products
- Pre-wrapped chocolates and sweets
- Packets of crisps
- Bottled or canned drinks
- Pancakes, scones, fruitcakes etc providing the food is prepared in a safe and hygienic environment
Foods not suitable for bringing into hospital: (These high risk foods support the growth of bacteria and can cause food poisoning.)
- Cooked meat and poultry
- Cooked meat products including gravy and stock
- Fresh or artificial cream products, custards, yoghurts and mousse
- Cooked rice
- Sandwiches and rolls
- Shellfish, fish paste and fish products
- Any other food items which require refrigeration or heating
Smoking Policy
Since 1 August 2008, smoking has been banned in all NHS Lanarkshire grounds. It means people are no longer allowed to light up anywhere inside NHS Lanarkshire premises or within its grounds – including areas around hospital, clinic and health centre entrances, and in vehicles parked on NHS premises. The revised policy reinforces NHS Lanarkshire’s aim of promoting and protecting the health of both the public and NHS staff.
Alcohol
As alcohol can interfere with the treatment of patients, relatives and visitors should not leave any alcoholic product with patients.
Mail
Letters and parcels for patients should be sent to the hospital, stating the name and ward number of the patient clearly. Outgoing letters can be given to the ward staff for posting
Medicines
Please remember to bring with you, or advise us, of any medicines you may be taking and hand them to ward staff on admission. Please also advise ward staff if you have any pre-arranged appointment, such as outpatient, optician or dental visit. Pensions and Other Benefits Once you have been in hospital for a few weeks, your pension will be reduced and you may not be entitled to other benefits you currently receive. It is important that you, or a relative, inform the Benefits Agency of your admission to hospital. You may wish to attend to your own finances, however if you or your relatives require assistance this can be arranged by speaking to your Named Nurse.
Social Work Resources
Social Workers are skilled to help with family or social problems. If you are worried about finance, housing or other similar difficulties, ask the Ward staff to contact Social Work Resources on your behalf.
Hospital Amenities
A number of amenities can be accessed to make your stay in hospital as comfortable as possible:
- Daily newspapers can be purchased and delivered to the wards.
- Arrangements are in place to ensure that hairdressers regularly visit the hospital to provide a hairdressing service.
- Local clergy visit on a regular basis. No information about a patient will be passed onto the clergy without the patient’s consent.
- A volunteer gardener tends to the greenhouse in the grounds of Roadmeetings Hospital on a regular basis. Patients who have an interest in gardening are encouraged to take part when accompanied by an occupational therapist or a member of the nursing staff.
Hospital Staff
All staff wear identity badges that help you to identify the different people involved in your care. There is a ward sister in charge of each of the two wards. The following information may help you to identify some of the people you will see during your stay:
Named nurse
You will have a named nurse who is responsible for developing a plan of care with you to meet your individual needs.
Medical staff
Every patient has a named consultant who visits the wards regularly. Your day-to-day treatment will be supervised by a local general practitioner (GP).
Other Staff
These include: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, domestic and catering, portering. Arrangements can be made for podiatry, speech therapy, dietetics.