Ryeworth Ward

Visitors

Two visitors per bed at any one time please. This is necessary not only because the patient will be overtired by more, but space is limited and overcrowding poses a health and safety hazard. We also limit the amount of flowers due to lack of space, infection risk and health and safety.

We have a quiet time between 1pm and 3pm so that patients may rest.

Contact us

You and your family will be informed of the best time to telephone for news.

After 3pm and on weekends please contact the nurses on:

• 0300 422 3698
• 0300 422 2044

Or Telephone Switchboard on 0300 422 2222 and ask for Ryeworth Ward.

We ask that one person be nominated to ring for news and then relays the information to other friends and family.

Please note: Smoking is not permitted in any building or within the grounds of any of our sites. Information and support is available to any patients who wish to stop smoking. Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available to help reduce your cravings during your stay.

Facilities

Facilities include a day room, a newspaper trolley, a garden and easy access to the RVS shop.

For your comfort, we offer single sex accommodation, toilet and hygiene facilities.

Free Wifi

Free Wifi is available on all our wards. If you have any difficulty accessing this, please speak to a member of ward staff.

Mealtimes and catering

With the exception of breakfast all meals are served from a hot trolley. You will be given a choice from a daily menu for all meals.

• Breakfast: 8am
  
• Lunch: 1.00pm
  
• Supper: 6pm
  

Beverages: Served throughout the day.
The catering staff are an integral part of the meal delivery service at Cheltenham General Hospital. The staff are visible on the ward throughout most of the day, serving food, washing up and cleaning in the ward pantry as well as delivering stock. The catering staff are easily recognised by their uniform; royal blue polo shirts, navy blue baseball caps and trousers.

There are two restaurants at Cheltenham General. The Blue Spa Café is located at the front of the hospital in the Centre Block. The Glass House Café can be found in St. Paul's Wing. Read more about food and drink in our hospitals

Additional information

There are several RVS shops around the hospital.

Newspapers and magazines can be purchased daily from the trolley which visits the ward between 10.00am – 12noon.

A dietician, chiropodist, dentist and pharmacist are all available on site. Please ask a member of staff if you'd like to find out more.

Any questions

If you have any concerns during your stay with us or have any suggestions on how we can improve our service, please do not hesitate to talk to the Ward Manager or any of the staff nurses who are always willing to answer any questions whilst on duty.

Going home

When you arrive on the ward your nurse will advise you approximately how long your stay in hospital will be. We hope you have already made some plans and preparations for your discharge and how you will manage when returning home. We are unable to provide hospital transport to take you home and this is another consideration to be made prior to admission.

Discharge planning starts as soon as you are admitted as we like to know your social circumstances and give you a proposed date for discharge. A more definite date is normally given 24 hours before your discharge. For your discharge to go ahead, the team looking after you will ensure that you are fit and ready.

Social Services

We've got a good team of social workers based in the hospital. If you need any social help please contact a member of staff they will be able to arrange this service.

If any special help is needed for communication, for example with translating, our staff will arrange an interpreter or your friends or relatives are welcome to help.

Chaplaincy staff visit the ward, or if you prefer, you may arrange for your own spiritual advisor to visit.

Ward Pledge

1. Your care will be evidenced based provided by registered nurses who will take pride in their profession and the uniform we wear: we will adhere to our professional standards, supported by our skilled health care support workers.
2. We will treat you as we would want our family to be treated: with kindness and compassion to protect your privacy and dignity.
3. We will communicate openly and honestly with you, advocate for you and be your voice when you don’t have one. There will be no decision about you without you or your family.
4. We will deliver high quality holistic care, focusing on your individual care needs. We will support you to be as independent as possible and treat you with kindness and respect. We will strive to maintain your privacy and dignity and respect your cultural values.
5. We will take pride in maintaining a clean, safe, clutter free environment which is welcoming to you, your visitors and our colleagues.
6. We are committed to regularly assessing your nutritional needs, protect your meal times and support your cultural and dietary needs. We will address nutrition concerns promptly and provide assistance where required in a suitable prepared space.
7. We will promote an open and honest culture. Listening and responding to your feedback and concerns promptly. We will use these as opportunities for learning and improvements in your care.
8. We will listen to your comments and feedback about the care and environment we provide, for our older adults and act on any concerns.
9. We will strive to provide a calm, welcoming, friendly and interactive environment for our patients which is inclusive to all.
10. We will strive for continuous learning and education to support our team to improve patient outcomes and care delivery.