Welcome to The Royal Liverpool
University Hospital
Information for BSc &
CCC Audiology
Students on Placement
Contact information
• Audiology Dept
Ground Floor
Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Prescot Street
Liverpool
L7 8XP
• Telephone 0151-706-2533
• Department mobile:07826873856
Accommodation in Liverpool
• As the hospital is situated next to Liverpool University,
there are lots of student flats and houses within walking
distance.
• Opal Court, Unite, Prospect Point, Cosmopolitan Student
Homes all have buildings around the hospital.
• Smithdown Road is a popular place
for Liverpool students to rent
student houses.
Hospital Accommodation
• If accommodation is required, you may be able to
arrange this through the Accommodation Officer,
telephone 0151-706-2000
Student experience living in Opal Court on London
Road
• I lived in a flat of 4 (another girl and two boys, all 3rd year Liverpool
students) from September 2009 to the end of August 2010 on a 51
week contact (I was in Walton Hospital 1st 6 months and Royal 2nd 6
months). Its quite a big complex and very sociable. There’s 24 hour, 7
days a week security and the staff and security guards are very nice
and really took care of me if I had any problems.
• I paid a bit extra (£100 for 6 months) and was able to use the gym. It
was nice to go for a swim after a stressful day at work.
• Living so close to town, the hospitals and Lime Street Station was so
convenient. There isn’t a big supermarket nearby, but the Tesco extra
sold everything I needed. I did take the trip to the big Tesco in Old
Swan a few times to do a big shop, but only 4 or 5 times throughout
the year.
• Living in a different city for a year isn’t for everyone. Yes I did have a
few sleepless nights before 3rd year started about going away but it’s
honestly been a great experience. And Manchester is only 45 minutes
on the train; there’s times where I’ve gone after work just for the
evening and come back for work the next day. Having the opportunity
to live in both cities has been brilliant.
Student experience living in Prospect Point on
Prescot Street
• I am a 3rd yr student from Aston university in Birmingham.
• I started my placement in April 2010 and will commence up until
the end of September 2010.
• My accommodation was arranged through the hospital and
university where I was provided a leaflet and I rang the
accommodation office in Liverpool who arranged my
accommodation. I am currently staying at prospect point which is
just across the hospital. It is very advantageous staying just across
the road as limited amount of travel is necessary.
• My accommodation is ideal for any student comprising of: 24hr
security, local amenities which are very near, free-internet access,
on-suite facilities with shared kitchen and the floor is regularly
cleaned. The price for the accommodation is fairly reasonable for all
the facilities it does provide.
Travelling to and from the Royal
• Public transport links to and from the
Royal are excellent.
• Train: nearest stations are Liverpool
Central (if travelling from outer Liverpool)
or Liverpool Lime Street (trains from
Manchester run regularly and take 43
minutes)
• Both stations are a 10 minute walk away
from the hospital.
• A return from Manchester to Liverpool at
peak time without a railcard is about £12
• A return from Manchester to Liverpool at
off-peak time without a railcard is about
£10
Travelling to and from the Royal
• Bus: as the hospital is near to the city centre, it is easily
accessed by bus.
• Car: you should use a car to travel to the Royal as a last resort
as parking is limited and expensive. The hospital parking is
only available to those with permits and these aren’t often
given to students. There is a Q-Park across from the hospital
which charges a daily rate of £7.90.
• Whichever way you decide to travel to the hospital, the
transport direct website has a brilliant door-to-door route
planner with service numbers and times:
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/JourneyPlanning/JourneyPlannerIn
put.aspx
Dress code
• All clinical staff, bands 3 to 7 wear tunics. Audiologists wear navy and
white striped tunics and assistant audiology technicians and students
wear light grey tunics.
• Your supervisor will give you a few on your first day. They’re really
easy to clean and you can put them in the tumble dryer as well.
• You’re allowed to wear your own black smart trousers.
• Smart shoes
• The bare below the elbow policy is in place in the department, so no
bracelets, rings, watches etc are allowed.
• Most people carry their mobile phones on them during clinic, it’s
especially useful on ENT clinic when signing in patients as you’ll
need to know the time. Just try to keep it on silent.
Department opening times
• Open: 0800 Monday – Friday
• Close: 1800 Monday – Thursday,
1730 Friday
• Full time hours are 37.5 per week.
• Hours for students are usually 9:00 till 17:00
Preparing for placement
• It’s a good idea to brush up on your theory before starting
placement. You wont be asked questions that you shouldn’t
know the answer to, so look over lecture notes and practical
sheets to refresh your memory.
• Knowing things like BSA guidelines, BAA/BSA Direct referral
guidelines inside and out now, will benefit you when it’s time
for assessments.
• It’s a good idea to have a folder to carry around during the
day; having some space for session feedback forms, a paper
version of your log book, scrap paper to make notes etc will
keep you organised.
• Allow extra time for your first trip into placement.
Nothing ever seems to go right on the first day,
allow time for hiccups.
In the morning
• Everyone congregates in the office in the morning. There are
lockers for bags and coat hooks.
• The office has a small fridge for packed lunches.
• There is also a kettle and everyone brings in their own mug.
• Tea money is 50p a week
(caffeinated tea bags and milk)
or bring your own.
• Open mugs aren’t allowed in
clinical areas, if you’d like to bring
a hot drink in with you remember
to put it in a flask.
Before clinic starts
• You should check who you are
meant to be with on Practice
Navigator the night before using
the schedule book window.
• [Rehab] means appointments
such as fittings, DRs,
reassessments, fine tunes,
exchanges etc.
• [ENT] is ear, nose and throat
clinic, so PTAs and tymps.
• [Repairs] is self explanatory
• [DV] is home visits
Rooms in the department
• The clinic rooms are located behind M clinic (ENT
clinic) and off the main corridor
• The tinnitus room is off the main corridor and is
used for hearing therapy.
• Repair rooms:
– Repair 1&2 are off the main corridor and
are usually used just for repairs.
• Clinic rooms (booths 1-5):
– These are behind M clinic
– Used for rehab and ENT clinic
– Rooms 1&2 are the white booths
– Rooms 3&4 are the blue booths
– Room 5 is next to the voice therapy room and
is not sound treated (not the best for PTAs)
Map of the department
Setting up for clinic
•
Everyone has their own bag of tools which consists of:
– An otoscope
– Scissors
– Pliers
– Reamer and threader
– Oticon programming shoes
– Small screwdrivers
– Stetoclips
– Otolight
•
Remember to bring your bag with you. If you lose or are missing anything, talk
to one of the AAP’s.
•
Try to collect the earmolds, hearing aids, fitting packs etc you’ll need before
appointments start.
•
If you know you’ll be using the audiometer and tymp machine, perform stage A
checks before the patient comes.
During clinic
• In the beginning of placement, you’ll mainly be observing and
performing parts of appointments ie. PTA, imps etc. When you’re
ready, you’ll take the whole appointment under direct supervision.
• Make use of observing different staff, because everyone does things
differently and you can pick out their good bits.
• Make one big crib sheet for each appointment. This will help you when
it’s time for you to take the appointments later on.
• Try to get stuck in. The first repair appointment I took was a few weeks
into placement- it was so shaky and sloppy but being thrown into the
deep end gave me a massive boost in confidence. Don’t be scared to
have a go, if you mess up or forget something, staff will help you out.
After clinic
• Students are required to fill in session
feedback forms after every session (1
in the morning and 1 in the afternoon)
• Try to think of one thing you can take
away from the session, however big or
small.
• They’re a good tool to have for
reflection in PPLA.
• Impressions to be sent away go in the
envelope in reception.
At lunchtime
•
Lunch is at 12.00 or 12.30 (depending on what you’re
doing in the afternoon) and lasts about 30 minutes.
•
Most people bring in packed lunches and eat in the
office.
•
If you want to warm up your lunch, there's a
microwave and toaster.
•
There’s also a WRVS down the corridor which sells
sandwiches, jacket potatoes, hot and cold drinks and
snacks.
•
The canteen is downstairs and sells jacket potatoes,
salads, sandwiches, pasta, cereal and the meal of the
day. Curry Thursdays are quite good. A meal with a
drink will cost about £4.00.
•
Unfortunately there isn’t a sink in the office so most
people use the sink in repair room 1.
Finishing time
• Your finishing time will have already been
arranged before your first day.
• If you’re with a member of staff who
finishes later than you, just excuse yourself
between patients.
• Make sure you’ve completed your session form and make a note of
procedures which members of staff need to sign off on your logbook.
Most staff prefer a note in their tray or an email.
• University will have told you to fill out your PPLA as you go along
and not leave it to the last minute- and they’re right! One reflection
every 1-2 weeks will mean 20-30 odd by the end of the year. It takes
maybe 30 minutes at the end of the day and you’ll be glad you don’t
need to do them all in August.
Additional information about working
at the Royal
Library sessions and study areas
• Students are allowed a half day every week
to study. This can arranged with your
supervisor at the beginning of placement.
• You don’t have to stay in the hospital during
your study
• If you decide to stay, occasionally there are
spare computers in the office which you can
use, or in any rooms which are free.
• Alternatively, the hospital library is located
in the clinical sciences department. You will
need to sign up for a membership, you can
do this at the beginning of placement.
Sickness and absences
• If you’re not feeling well enough to come
into work, ring the office mobile on
07826873856 and let someone know.
• Remember you’ll have patient contact
throughout the day at work, so if you
are ill it’s best to stay off until you’re
100% better.
• Any sickness lasting over 7 days
(Saturday and Sunday included) will need
to be verified by a doctor’s note.
Taking annual leave
• Students have 13.5 days of annual leave during
their 6 month placement at The Royal.
• You can carry over a maximum of 4 days annual
leave from a previous placement or over to your
next placement.
• Annual leave needs to be booked 6 weeks in
advance
• It’s a good idea to keep a few days of leave
reserved for between placements and after your
assessments. Some time off will ensure you don’t
burn out as both can be quite stressful.
Other bits and bobs
• Patient management system: the
department uses Practice Navigator. If you
haven’t used PN before don’t worry, you’ll
get the hang of it quickly. See the PN User
Guide for steps and instructions.
• Hearing aids used: Mostly Danalogic with
many Siemens and Oticon aids still in
service. It’s up to you which you use, but
it’s a good idea to know how to manage
all.
• Phonak Naida aids are also available for
patients who are suitable, but this should
be discussed with an audiologist first. The
aid will be fitted by a senior.
Other bits and bobs
• Name badge: you’ll need to get a hospital badge during your first week of
placement. Name badges are done every Tuesday and Thursday. Your
supervisor will fill out a form which you’ll have to bring upstairs. They’ll
take your picture and give you your new badge on that day. Your badge
must be worn on a NHS neck strap or off your pocket with a clip. If you
lose your badge, tell someone as soon as you can.
•
Computer log-in and email: Your supervisor will fill out a form and send
it to IT for them to generate a log in and email for you. Your email can be
accessed via Outlook on your desktop. This cannot be accessed outside
the hospital so it’s best to use your Manchester address for more
important emails.
Registering at the Royal
• You will have to register
with the volunteers department
at the beginning of your placement
• The department can be found to the left of the top
of the escalator in the foyer of the hospital.
• They will issue you with a form to fill in and return
Other bits and bobs
• Department induction: you will have a short
induction with your supervisor during your first
week on placement, giving you information
which is department specific.
• Trust induction: students are also required to
attend the trust induction which lasts 1 day. It
goes over things like fire and security protocol,
confidentiality, infection control etc. This is a
good experience to reflect on in your PPLA.
Your supervisor will book you onto the induction
after you’ve started placement
• The trust induction takes place on Derwent
House on London Road (next to Lidl). Tea and
coffee is provided.
Other bits and bobs
• Fitting packs: The department supplies fitting packs for each
new patient who receives a hearing aid. This contains:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Brown NHS battery book with patient address label
List of health centres that issue batteries
Information about repair services
Specific hearing aid instruction booklet
Additional resources sheet
Written instructions on how to insert hearing aid
• Fitting packs can be found at the bottom of the earmould
stackers. If there aren’t any made up, the sheets are in the
drawers underneath the fax machine and you can make up
your own.
Other bits and bobs
• Trays: everyone has a tray in the office. You should
have your own tray on your first day with your name
on it. If you can’t find it ask someone to show you
where it is.
• Any letters you enter on PN will print out in the office
and be left in your tray for you to fill in and sign.
Envelopes are to the right of the earmold stackers at
the bottom and the outgoing post is behind the desk
at reception
Writing Letters
• Instructions on how to access ‘letter
contacts’ in PN can be found in the
PN User Guide.
• Letters can be confusing. To make
sure you send out the right letter,
see the table on the next slide. You
can copy and paste the slide onto
your desktop and refer back to it
when you need to.
• If you need to write a letter to a GP
with lots of additional information, it
may be best to do a custom letter.
For this, use word.
Appointment
type
Reason for letter
Address to
Letter type
Direct referral
Patient does not fit TTSA
GP
referral guidelines and
hearing aid recommended
GP Letter DR Rec
HA No ENT appt
reqd
Direct referral
Patient was within normal
limits
GP
GP Letter DR WNL
Direct referral
Patient fits TTSA referral
criteria and needs to be
seen by ENT
GP
GP Letter DR Fail
TTSA
Direct referral
Patient did not want a
hearing aid
GP
GP Letter DR HA
Declined
Fitting
Hearing aid has been
fitted
GP
GP Letter HA Fitted
Reassessment
Patient fits TTSA referral
criteria and needs to be
seen by ENT
GP
GP Letter General
Refer to ENT
Requested.
Other bits and bobs
• Occluding wax: if a patient presents
with occluding wax, we can refer them
to the dressings clinic. To do this, you
need to fill out a Dressing Room Referral form which can
be found in each room. Also supply the
patient with a dressings clinic opening
times sheet as it is on a drop-in basis.
• Earmoulds: when taking bilateral
impressions, 1 earmould box should be
used for both impressions. A label for each
impression should be put on the box.
Tips and tricks
• Add both the office number and
mobile number in your phone, you
don’t know when you may need it.
• There is a student folder on the j: drive with lots of
information for you. Save this on your desktop for easy
access.
• You can find HEI checklists on the j: drive. When you are
competent to take whole appointments, have staff members
fill one out for each appointment. They’re a good tool to help
you improve your skills and it’ll be practise for your
assessments.