University Hospital of Wales
Ward C7 Medicine
FRaME/Endocrine
(Focused Rehabilitaion and Medical Evaluation)
Student Orientation pack
Name…………………………………………………
Mentor……………………………………………..
02/09
An Introduction
Welcome to C7. We hope your placement with us will not only be an enjoyable and exciting
one, but one in which you gain an insight into the nursing care and management of patients with
a range of medical conditions. On C7 we work 12 ½ hour shifts 7-7.30 days and nights. As we
get a paid half hour break each day we are required to pay back the 1.5 hrs we owe each week,
therefore staff work a 6hr shift every 4 weeks.
During your placement you will be allocated a mentor who will work with you, supervising and
providing guidance and support throughout your stay. On C7 we have a multi disciplinary
approach in providing individualised care to the patient and their family.
The ward
C7 has two distinct purposes:
C7 North is: FRaME. (Focussed Rehab and Medical Evaluation) ward. 19 beds male and
female
This booklet provides you with an overview of the ward area and the patients we care for on
the ward. During your allocation on C7 you will be allocated a mentor and co mentor, who
will work alongside you, supervising and offering you guidance and support during your
stay with us.
FRaME – originally based on B6N, was a new ward which opened in October of 2008 as
part of the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust bed capacity plan. The aim was to open more
medical beds within the Trust thereby placing medical patients on appropriate wards and
not as outliers in other specialities such as general surgery. The ward consists of 19 beds
male and female
C7 FRaME consultants are:
DR Biju Mohamed
Dr Karl Davis
along with an SHO and Registrar working within the area.
Both Dr Mohamed and Dr Davis cover the ward at the same time. Dr Mohameds patients are
located in the 9 bedder, with Dr Davis’s in the sides.
C7 South is General medicine with an endocrine speciality.
The patients on this end of the ward can be very varied and can include endocrine
inpatients.
The south end of the ward is where the regional Endocrine investigation unit is based. The
endocrine specialist nurses see out patients on a daily basis.
C7 Endocrine consultants are:
Dr Steve Davies
Dr Aled Reed
Professor Colin Dayan
The three consultants cover the ward on a rolling one month programme.
Along with a full medical team of an F1 (foundation year) doctor An F2 (SHO) and a
specialist registrar.
Nursing team:
Ward Sister:
Deputy Ward Sister:
Sharon Irving
Liz Vaughan
Our Nursing Philosophy of Care is:
We aim to treat every patient as an individual, providing evidence based care of the
highest standard by skilled staff within a multi -disciplinary team (MDT), thus ensuring that each
patient receives care appropriate to their individual needs until they are medically fit and suitable
for discharge. All efforts are made to ensure the patient is sufficiently prepared for their return
home, and relatives are involved with the MDT in the preparation for their discharge. Despite all
the attempts of the multi disciplinary team this can sometimes be a lengthy process and relatives
can be assured that we make every effort where possible to speed up this process. Our patients
can be assured that confidentiality and their rights will be recognised and respected by all staff
involved in their care regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or gender.
Skills list for students
Ward C7 offers the student the opportunity to learn and improve many clinical nursing skills.
Here are some areas students may wish to focus on:
•
Admission and discharge of patients: policies and practice
•
Referral to other services – referral criteria and processes, e.g. Social workers,
physiotherapy, occupational therapy etc
•
Care of the acutely unwell
•
Management of long term medical conditions
•
Multidisciplinary care of the medical patient
•
Management roles, resources, decision making processes, essence of care and other
benchmarking processes
Transferable Skills for students
•
Use of NEWS scoring , and when to inform Medical Rapid Response Team for
intervention/ assessment - measurement and recording of observations including blood
pressure, pulse, oxygen saturations, temperature and respirations and how to interpret
findings.
•
You will learn about aseptic technique including catheterisation and wound care.
•
You will be involved with drug administration (orally, inhalation, subcutaneous, intramuscular and suppositories).
•
Nutritional and tissue viability assessment including pressure area management.
•
Blood glucose testing and recording.
•
The preparation and administration of insulin.
•
Admission and Discharge/Transfer procedure.
•
General hygiene, oral care, nutrition and hydration.
•
Administration of oxygen and use of nebuliser therapy.
•
Managing and preventing risk.
•
Documentation.
•
Patient assessment.
Within 24 hours of admission, a patient should have had the Activities of Daily Living
assessment and a property disclaimer completed in the admission booklet.
The following risk assessments need to be completed:




Waterlow risk assessment (within 6 hours of admission,
Nutritional risk assessment (including weight recorded),
Pat-e-bac assessment,
Falls risk assessment.
Once completed, these assessments should highlight the need, if any for further intervention, for
example, Airwave/Repose mattress, referral to physiotherapy, commencing a food chart, cot
sides, crash mats etc. These risk assessment scores should be recorded on the daily charts for
quick reference.
Opportunities
There will also be opportunities for students to work with other members of the multidisciplinary team. For example:
Some of the procedures and investigations you may be able to observe include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Routine blood tests
Arterial blood gases
CT, MRI and Ultrasound scans
Blood sugar monitoring
ECGs
Catheter insertion
Lumbar punctures
Urine testing
Wound cultures
VQ scans
OGD
Physiotherapy treatments
OT washing and dressing assessments / Home Visits
Speech and language assessments
Dietetic screening
Daily Routine
Remember, no day is the same as we care for a variety of different patients with varying
individual needs! Times are as a rough guide only!
7am Handover
The start of a shift begins with ‘handover’ or ‘report’ of patient information, this promotes
continuity of care and allows staff to review and plan care. Patients are discussed with the nurse
and health care support worker looking after that group of patients. Two qualified nurses will
share out the patients, (usually the 9 bedded bay or the side bays) with the third qualified nurse
assisting with all areas as required. The health care support workers will work in all areas of the
ward. The nurse in charge of the shift should also be made aware of any potential discharges and
any patients that are particularly unwell to ensure that they are adequately supported. You will
receive a printed document, detailing the patients on the ward. At the end of the shift, the report
must be disposed of in confidential waste (envelope situated on the nurses station).
7.30 – 12 noon
 Patients to be sat up ready for breakfast
 Breakfast/tea round – served by ward caterers, patients to be assisted as required
 Medication round, including ordering new medications from pharmacy
 Washes, pressure area checks and bed making
 Restocking of the linen trolley
 Incontinence care and toileting, as required
 Observations


Blood sugar monitoring prior to lunch
Morning breaks to start at 10am – 30 minutes
1200 Midday



Lunch and tea round – served by ward caterers, patients to be assisted as required
Medication round and updating of daily recording charts
Update food charts
Afternoon
 Doctors' rounds/Physio/OT interventions, visits from specialist nurses
 Handover to afternoon staff, if applicable
 Dressings
 Relevant referrals made and discharge planning,
 Incontinence care and toileting, as required
 Pressure area checks
 General tidy (clean down tables, wash medicine pots, commode cleaning etc)
 Checking of oxygen and suction units – each bed side unit should have a yanker sucker,
green oxygen tubing and a non-re-breather mask.
 Equipment re-stocking and ordering of equipment (e.g. bottles/bedpans, pads, blood
sugar monitoring equipment, thermometer covers... the list is endless!)
 Documentation – including notes and monitoring/completing risk assessments
 Blood sugar monitoring prior to tea
 Afternoon breaks to start at 1500 – 20 minutes
1700 hours
 Evening meal and tea round- served by ward caterers, patients to be assisted as required
 Update food record charts
 Medication round
 Update handover sheet on the computer ready for night staff
 Incontinence care and toileting, as required
 Pressure area checks
 Tidy ward
1900 hours
 Handover to night staff
 General clean and tidy up, removing potential hazards e.g. relatives chairs, rubbish, linen
bags etc
2000 hours
 Settle and make patients comfortable for the night
 Observations
 Pressure area checks
 Incontinence care and toileting, as required
 Update/Add up fluid balance charts
 Empty catheters


Attend to patient needs as required
Medication round
Other Information
Referral Criteria/ Admission methods
Patients are admitted to C& from A&E, MAU, A1 & A4 Short stay wards and sometimes other
ward areas.
Visiting Times
2-4 6-8pm. This is to ensure that patients are not disturbed at meal times.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Ward number – Reception 42181
North 43759
South 43760
Cardiac Arrest - 2222
Switchboard - 100
To use the Hospital Bleep System dial 181 then the person's bleep number that you need to
contact, then the extension number of the phone you’re using followed by #.
What you can expect from us
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
You will receive an induction into your work area to ensure you are familiar with the
environment and are able to practice safely. You must find out the location of the arrest
trolley, portable oxygen and fire extinguishers and exits on your first day.
You will discuss your learning needs and outcomes at the beginning of the placement.
We will provide an environment conducive to meeting identified individual student
learning needs which are also safe and healthy.
During your placement you will be allocated a mentor to work alongside.
The mentor will be a qualified practitioner who will assist and support you during your
clinical work (at least 50% of your rota will be allocated alongside your mentors).
Your mentor will assess your performance against your course learning outcomes, and
provide feedback to help you develop your skills.
You will receive supervision during your clinical practice.
You will be a valued member of the multidisciplinary team during your placement, and
can expect support from all your colleagues.
We will listen to your feedback about your placement and will respond to any issues
raised sensitively.
What we expect from you
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
We expect you to arrive on time for planned shifts and any other activity identified by
the Mentor or delegated supervisor
We expect you to ensure your Mentor is aware of your learning outcomes for the
placement and specific learning needs
We expect you to act in a professional manner.
We expect you to dress in accordance with your University’s uniform policy, and also in
accordance with the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust uniform policy (no jewellery apart from
stud earrings and wedding ring if applicable).
You should inform your mentor or delegated person if you are unwell and not able to
attend your placement. Please do this as soon as possible prior to your shift. You should
also inform the University, as per guidelines.
We expect you to maintain and respect confidentiality and patient dignity at all times.
This applies to clients, their records and discussions between the student and the Mentor.
We would like you to raise any issues regarding your placement with your mentor. If this
is not possible please speak to the deputy or Ward Manager otherwise you should
contact your link tutor / placement co-ordinator.
Induction Checklist
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE WORKPLACE TO BE COVERED ON DAY ONE OF
THE PLACEMENT
Introduction to other members of staff □
Allocation of mentor and key supervisors’ □
Brief tour of ward, department or work area, toilets, rest room, □
Restaurant, car parking etc □
Fire exits, alarms, and equipment and fire evacuation procedures and emergency procedures□
How to report accidents to yourself, others or near miss □
Health and safety including infection control measures, □
Food hygiene, chemicals and physical hazards in the workplace □
Local arrangements for safe lifting and handling including equipment □
Telephone and bleeps – use and location □
Safe keeping of property – for staff and patients □
Confidentiality – personal and access to patient records etc □
2. TRUST AND LOCAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Location of and access to reference books, policies and standards: □
Risk Control Policies and Procedures Manual □
Accident Reporting □
Health and Safety □
Infection Control □
Needle Stick Injuries □
Fire Regulations and Procedures □
Confidentiality/Data Protection Act/Security of Information □
Human Resources e.g. Equality and Diversity/Disability/Bullying and Harassment, Whistle
blowing, disciplinary and grievance etc □
3. PLACEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Hours of work including shift work, flexi-time arrangements □
Reporting sickness absence and other absence □
Outline of duties and supervision □
Performance standards □
4. TRAINING NEEDS IDENTIFIED AND ACTIONS
Learning Outcomes for placement discussed □
Specific learning needs discussed □
Learning Resources available discussed □
I confirm that a local induction has been completed and all the topics have been
discussed and understood.
Student :_____________________Mentor:________________________