Neurology - Welcome to Ward C2

Purpose of Ward C2

Ward C2 is a Hyper Acute Neurological Rehabilitation unit. We provide specialist management for patients with complex neurological rehabilitation needs at the very early stage of their recovery. Each patient is different and aims of rehabilitation may range from achieving medical stability and basic physical abilities e.g. breathing independently and swallowing, to full integration back to all previous activity. Outcomes will be dependent upon a large number of factors including type, location and severity of injury.

We realise that the move on to a new unit, alongside a loved one’s illness or injury is a stressful time and often has a large emotional impact. The team on the ward endeavour to offer as much support as possible. We have a clinical neuropsychologist who can see family and friends who need extra support at this time.

Patients

Patients on the ward present with a variety of neurological conditions and may have physical, behavioural and cognitive (thinking skills) issues. Some patients may still have a high level of medical need and may require attachments such as tracheostomies, naso-gastric feeding, intra-venous fluids and medications. Other patients may be more mobile but experience challenging behaviours i.e. shouting out or attempting to abscond. For this reason, you will find that the doors to the ward are always secured with fob access to ensure a safe environment. All regular ward staff carry a fob to allow entrance and exit from the ward. There may be times when a patient will need to have someone sat with them for all or certain times of the day; this is assessed and based on an individual’s needs. Not all patients will fit into these criteria.

We encourage family members to bring in day and night wear and a small stock of toiletries that can be kept in the bedside cabinet. Clothes should ideally be comfortable and loose fitting. We advise you to bring a few days’ worth at a time and we will put worn clothes in a bag for you to take home and wash as unfortunately we do not have the facilities to do this. Please do not bring any expensive belongings in as we do not accept liability for them.

The Team

Our team work closely with each Consultant in Neurorehabilitation and consists of doctors, rehab nurses, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, rehab instructors, dieticians, assistant practitioners, therapy assistants, clinical neuropsychology and social workers. Each patient is assessed and then receives treatment individually tailored to their specific needs. Individuals where possible are encouraged to participate actively in their rehab and are included in goal setting sessions and planning meetings.

The initial planning meeting will be arranged for approximately 3-4 weeks from being admitted to the ward. For patients that experience a prolonged stay within rehabilitation another planning meeting will be arranged 6-8 weeks after the previous meeting, with further meetings arranged as required. The multidisciplinary team will provide a summary of the patient’s current presentation and progress towards goals to determine when recovery has been met, or the patients care can be provided in an alternate setting.

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

Each patient will have a named therapist who will come to assess you on the first working day i.e. Monday to Friday. A timetable will be provided each morning that will give details of the time of therapy session, how long it will last and who that session will be with. The initial assessment is usually completed at the bedside; subsequent sessions are then completed in the therapy room, kitchen or bathroom as appropriate. Family members can attend some therapy sessions; this can be discussed with the treating therapist and time arranged.

Speech and Language Therapy

Our Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) will see patients who have difficulties with swallowing and/or communication.

SLTs may need to assess a patient’s swallowing. This can be done in a few ways. A SLT will discuss this with you in more detail if required. A swallowing assessment may be carried out to provide information for a tracheostomy wean or to provide recommendations for the patient to eat and drink safely. There are separate information booklets to explain this further and provide advice if you wish to bring food or drinks in from home.

SLTs also carry out assessments of speech and communication. They may provide advice, therapy or alternative ways to communicate. We will aim to work with family members/carers/ friends throughout this process and often find it helpful to gather further personal information, such as family member names, likes/dislikes etc., to inform therapy. Family members may wish to attend some therapy sessions and if this is indicated this can be arranged with the treating SLT.

Dietetics

The dietitian supports patients who need help meeting their nutritional needs or goals. They provide advice to support recovery, which may include a food-first approach, nutritional drinks, or liquid feeding through a feeding tube if needed. The dietitian can also offer support with weight management. Care is planned in a person-centred way, considering individual needs, preferences, and wishes. Nutritional status will be monitored through regular weighing and simple measurements, such as arm circumference. The dietitian works closely with the rehabilitation team to help you receive nutrition safely, stay well nourished, and support your recovery.

Neuropsychology

Our neuropsychology team can provide support for patients, families, and staff. Their role can include direct and/or indirect work such as doing cognitive assessments or cognitive rehabilitation, supporting people with emotional changes, completing mental capacity assessments, helping with engagement in therapy, and working with challenging to manage behaviours.

Visiting

Visiting times are 10am -8 pm with a protected mealtime between 12-1 pm and 5-6pm. There is some flexibility in this based on individual patients’ rehabilitation needs and family circumstances which can be discussed with the ward co-ordinator. Therapy sessions will be taking place between 8 am and 4 pm (Monday to Friday) and may coincide with visiting times.

Visiting is restricted to a maximum of two visitors per bed so that patients are not over stimulated. We advise that you do not bring babies and young children onto the wards unless other arrangements have been agreed with the nurse in charge.

All staff and visitors are expected to wash their hands on entering and leaving the ward at the hand basins at the entrance of every ward. Nursing staff will be able to give you further information on infection control measures. It is for this reason that we kindly request that visitors refrain from sitting on beds; chairs are available in the lounge, and we ask that these are returned at the end of visiting.

There is an information board by the front door which provides leaflets and resources that may be helpful to you. Please ask if you have any other questions or concerns.

The Trust operates concession parking charges for the visitor car park for relatives of long stay patients, please ask on the ward and we will provide you with details.

Feedback

We would like to hear from you if you think we’ve done something well or if you have suggestions on how we could do something differently. Equally we want to know if you are unhappy with the service provided and have a complaint. Please feel free to speak to any member of our team or refer to the Voice your appreciation, complaint or concerns leaflet available on our information board. QR codes are displayed around the ward.

Contact Details

Ward C2 nursing station: 0161 206 1033
Ward Manager: 0161 206 0476
Ward C2 therapy room: 0161 206 2379

Useful Agencies

Brain and Spinal Injuries Helpline: 0808 808100
www.brainandspine.org.uk

Headway (Brain and Spinal Injuries Association): 0808 8002244
www.headway.org.uk

Spinal Injuries Association: 0800 980 0501
www.spinal.co.uk/

Day One: 0333 034 2107
www.dayonetrauma.org
www.support@dayonetrauma.org

Brain Injury is BIG (more appropriate for PDOC/LIS families): 07902 770999
www.braininjuryisbig.org.uk

BASIC (Salford) – Brain and Spinal Injuries Centre
www.basiccharity.org.uk

CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau)
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing advice and information.
Please telephone CAB on 08444 111 444 or check your local bureau's contact details online.
 
Age UK
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Local Age UKs provide a wide range of vital direct services to people in their local area. Examples of local services include:

• Information, advice and advocacy services
• Services promoting healthy ageing and wellbeing, including services that tackle loneliness and isolation
• Support to enable older people to remain independent in their own homes
• Training to enable people in later life to make the best use of modern technology