The team looking after you
During your stay, you will meet several members of the ward team who will introduce themselves. All our staff wear yellow name badges, and are happy to explain their role to you if you ask.
You’ll be looked after by a team of experienced healthcare professionals, led by a consultant (a senior doctor) or someone from their team.
Your consultant is in charge of your overall medical treatment and will always be involved in your care.
Other doctors on the team perform various tasks and procedures to support your treatment. A matron oversees your ward team and ensures the quality of nursing care. The ward sister, charge nurse, deputy, or nurse in charge will ensure your safety and wellbeing while you’re on the ward.
Staff nurses will assess, plan, and carry out your nursing care, often with the help of registered nursing associates. Nursing assistants, while not registered nurses, assist other healthcare professionals with your day-to-day care.
Depending on your needs, your care team may also include:
- Physiotherapists
- Dietitians
- Speech and language therapists
- Occupational therapists
Most staff members are identifiable by their uniforms, but some professionals, like ward pharmacists and dietitians, do not wear uniforms.
Your care on the ward
Your medical team will check on you daily to plan your care. We encourage you to be involved in decisions about your treatment. Let us know if you:
- Need anything explained more clearly
- Require extra help or are in pain
- Feel like you’re not being included enough in discussions about your care
- Have any concerns or worries about your treatment
- Would like a second opinion
- Want to learn about any research studies available to patients and how you can participate
The nurse is in charge for the shift is the best person to talk to if you have any concerns or questions.
If you feel something isn’t being addressed, you can request to speak with the matron.
Staff shifts
Many staff members work in shifts. At the end of each shift, information about your care will be passed on to the next team, ensuring they have the latest updates about your condition and treatment.
Student Health Professionals
As a teaching hospital, you might see student health professionals working on the ward under the supervision of senior staff. If you would prefer not to be seen by students, please let us know. It won’t affect your care in any way.
Other professionals you may encounter
You may also see housekeepers who ensure the hospital is kept clean, or occasionally, members of our security team or police officers, who help keep the environment safe. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward violence or aggression.