Our ward

Ward routines

Ward staff work these shifts:

• Early: 7am to 2.50pm
• Late: 1.40pm to 9.30pm
• Night: 9pm to 7.30am
• Long day: 7am to 9.30pm.

Staff will be in handover for about half an hour between these shifts. This is when the staff going home talk to those who have just arrived. Handovers are at 7am, 2pm and 9pm. 

Medication times

These are at 8am, 1pm, 6pm and 10pm. We can change the times to suit your needs.

Meal times

• Breakfast: 8.30am to 9.30am 
• Lunch: 12pm to 1pm
• Evening meal: 5pm to 6pm 

Visitors 

Weekday visiting times are:    
•    2.30pm to 4pm
•    6.30pm to 8pm

Weekends: 1pm to 8pm. 

Please talk to us if your visitors cannot come at these times. We will do our best to help you see them.

Please meet visitors in the visiting room and dining room. The lounge and bedrooms are for patients only. 

Under 18s can visit by appointment in the visiting room with a member of staff there. 

You may be able to leave the ward with your visitors. You could go to the restaurant or for a short walk. Please ask a member of staff about this.  

Activities 

Members of the care team will work with you on a one-to-one basis. They will help you meet the goals in your care plan. 
A board on the ward shows what is happening each day. If you want to join in, please speak to a member of staff.

Community meetings

Every week, there is a meeting of staff and patients. This is a chance to talk about any issues on the ward.

Food and drink 

We serve the best food and drink to keep you healthy. A member of staff will help you choose breakfast, lunch and an evening meal from a menu each day. Please ask if you would like a snack in between meals.

You can help yourself to hot and cold drinks at any time. If you need help, just ask. 

We can cater for special diets and for cultural needs. Please speak to a member of your care team. 

We will weigh you every week and keep a record. If you need extra help, a dietician or speech and language therapist (SLT) can visit you. 

Restaurant / coffee shop 
There is a restaurant and coffee shop in the main Walton Hospital building. It is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm for drinks, snacks and sandwiches. Hot food is served at lunchtime from 12pm to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The vending machine in the main entrance to Bluebell Ward takes cash and card payments. 

Personal items

Mobile phones 
You may be able to keep your mobile phone. If so, please keep this with you. There is a charging station in the lounge.  
Please do not take photos or videos. This is to keep you and other patients safe. 

Don’t have a phone? You can use one on the ward free of charge. Please ask a member of staff. 

Toiletries

Please provide your own toiletries. These include:

• shower gel 
• bubble bath
• shampoo
• shaving kit (we may need to keep this safe for you)
• toothpaste
• denture products
• hairbrush or comb. 

Towels are provided in your bedroom. 

Laundry

Please bring day and night clothes which are easy to wash. Please ask your family to do your laundry if they can. This gives us more time to spend with you.

Do you need us to wash your clothes? If so, please bring washing powder, liquid or capsules. We keep a list of clothes you bring so we can keep them safe. Please help by giving your clothes to staff when you arrive.