Privacy and dignity
About Bluebell Ward
Bluebell Ward has 12 bedrooms for men and women. You will sleep in a single bedroom and have your own toilet and shower.
We have a lounge for men and women. We also have a separate area just for women.
You have the right to high-quality care that respects your privacy and dignity. If you feel we are not doing one of these, please talk to us. Tell your named nurse or another member of staff.
Male and female staff may come into your bedroom. These will include nurses, doctors and other staff.Your safety and wellbeing
We have designed Bluebell Ward to be the best place to care for you. All staff are trained to take care of you and meet your needs.
We want to keep you safe and well. This means:
- we lock the doors to the ward.
- we do not allow smoking, alcohol or drugs.
- we may decide you always need somebody with you.
- we may need to keep some of your things safe until you leave.
Locked door policy
We keep the doors locked for safety. Please talk to a staff member if you need to leave the ward.
Observation and engagement levels
You may hear staff talk about observation and engagement levels.
After assessment, we will put you on one of four levels. The levels tell us how to keep you safe. Level 1 means you always need someone with you. All levels mean your care team will check on you often.
A nurse or doctor will explain your level. If you have any questions, just ask.
Smoking, alcohol and drugs
Patients and visitors must not smoke anywhere on the Walton Hospital site.
We want to help keep you fit and healthy. If you would like to give up smoking, please ask a member of staff to help you.
We do not let you bring alcohol and non-prescribed drugs to Bluebell Ward.
If you leave the ward, we may search you and your bags when you come back. We do this to keep everyone safe.
Belongings
We may need to take some of your items away to keep you safe. We will store them safely.
Please do not keep valuable items or lots of money with you. We can keep these in the hospital bank. We record them on a form which you will sign, or a witness can sign it for you. We will give you a copy of the form.
When you leave Bluebell Ward, we will give you everything back.
If we have to search you, we will always respect you. The person searching you will be the same sex as you. You or your relatives must look after anything you keep with you. We cannot be liable for loss or damage.We may have to take certain things from you. This is to keep you and others safe.
These include:
- medicines – including over-the-counter medication and herbal products
- illegal drugs
- alcohol
- sharp objects
- weapons (real or fake)
- glass and ceramic items
- heavy ornaments
- flammable items such as lighter fluid, aerosols and matches
- toxic substances such as nail polish remover
- mobile phone chargers and electrical cables
- USB devices
- wire coat hangers
- plastic bags
- pornographic material.
Some items can be given to you when you need them. These include razors and anything with a cable. We may need to supervise you while using them.
Controlled items
- These items can only be used with staff support:
- Scissors/cutting equipment
- Razors and hair clippers
- Mouthwash that contains alcohol
- Aerosols and spray deodorants
- Tobacco products and vapes. These will be stored safely and given back to you if you leave the ward
- Aftershave and perfume.
Unacceptable behaviour
We follow the national NHS zero tolerance policy. Please report:
- harassment
- verbal or physical abuse
- unacceptable behaviour by patients, visitors and staff.
In serious cases, we will call the police and we may prosecute.
