The team looking after you

While you are staying with us, you will meet a variety of staff members who work in different roles and professions. All our staff wear name badges and will introduce themselves, and they’re happy to explain their role to you if you ask.

Your care is our priority, so please ask if there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable or to support your family. We want to ensure that all our patients’ needs are met, where possible.

Please raise any concerns with a senior member of ward staff, such as the sister or matron.

The skilled medical team looking after you will consist of:

• a consultant, who has overall responsibility for your medical treatment
• other doctors who carry out a range of duties and procedures
• a matron who oversees nursing care
• a sister, charge nurse, deputy, or nurse in charge – who ensures your safety and wellbeing on the ward
• staff nurses and nursing associates
• nursing assistants – who support registered nurses and other members of the team with your care

The ward team also works with physiotherapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists. You may come into contact with these staff members, depending on your needs.

It’s really important to us that you and your family feel involved in your care, and that you understand what the next steps are.

Please tell us if you:

• Need us to explain something more clearly
• Need extra help or are in pain
• Have any fears or worries about our care or treatment

We are here to support you and are here to answer any questions.

Many of our staff work in shifts. At the end of each shift, staff will hand over information about your progress to the team on the next shift. This is to make sure staff coming on shift have the most up-to-date information about your care and condition.

As a teaching hospital, we might have student health professionals working on the ward under the close supervision of senior staff. If you do not want to be seen by students, please tell us. It won’t affect your care in any way.

Our team of housekeepers make sure our hospitals are kept clean.

At times you might see a member of our security team or a police officer on our wards, supporting our staff. The security team work hard to keep everyone safe. We do not tolerate violence or aggression.