The Hammersmith Hospital Liver and Pancreas Cancer Team |

The NHS liver and pancreatic cancer at the Hammersmith hospital is called “Ward A8″ and is situated on the 4th floor of Hammersmith Hospital and is accessible by lift for wheelchair users. It is a 5-day general surgery ward with a day unit and is managed by a team of experienced nurses. Each member of staff wears a badge with his/ her name and photograph on it, so that you can easily identify him/ her.

Opening hours -The ward opens on Monday at 7.30am and closes on Friday at 9.30pm.

Side rooms

There are four side-rooms on ward A8, two of these have en-suite toilet facilities. Each room has a television, wardrobe, dresser and chair. There is also a small fridge for patient use and a lap top.

These rooms are mainly used for patients who have a low immune system, or any patients who have an infection which may be a risk to other patients. Side-rooms can not be booked/reserved in advance of admission

Facilities

• Telephones: Each bed space is provided with a telephone and the number is found on each phone. To make calls you need to purchase a “Patientcall” card at a cost of £5.00. The nearest “Patientcall” dispenser to this ward is located in the corridor by A9. You do not need a card to receive calls. The facility ceases to receive incoming calls by 9pm.
• Trolley Service: A trolley comes to the ward twice a day; approximately 8.30am & 3pm selling a small selection of supplies i.e. newspapers, confectionery and toiletries from the main shop located in the hospitals’ main entrance. The Hospital League of Friends visit the ward once a day selling a selection of toys, cards, sweets and also runs a library service
• Bank: The National Westminster bank is located in the main entrance. Opening hours 10.30am to 2.30pm. There is a cash dispenser next to the bank.
• Entertainment: Presently we are unable to provide radios or television for individual viewing. But you are welcome to bring in your own provided they are checked by our electricians to ensure they are safe to use. All items can only be used with personal earphones to avoid disturbing other patients. Alternatively there is a television in the ward dayroom.
• Garden: There is a roof garden and we encourage you, family and friends to use this unique facility. You can access the garden via the dayroom or the corridor outside the ward. Both accesses are disabled friendly. If you are a smoker we respectfully ask you not to smoke by the ward windows. Please help us keep the area clean by putting your cigarette stubs in the containers provided. Thank you.
• Spiritual Needs: The hospital has a range of ministers for a variety of religions. Please ask staff for assistance if you wish to see them. The chapel called St Lukes is located off the main (south corridor) entrance. Details of services and the ministry team are found on the notice board outside the chapel. The Muslim prayer room (masjid) is further along the same corridor. Turn right under the letter J (occupational Health). The prayer room is through the first door on the left.
• Showers: The ward has four shower rooms of which two are suitable for the disabled, there are also two baths. If you are disabled and require a bath please ask your nurse for assistance.
• Miscellaneous: All patients are welcome to bring in flowers but our supply of vases is limited to one per patient. You may also display your cards or other memorabilia suitable for the space provided.

Interpreters

Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust has an extensive interpreting service.
We generally require 24hrs notice for a face to face service but a telephone service is available 24hrs a day, 7-days a week.
If you require an interpreter please inform the nurse caring for you and they will arrange it. We are also able to arrange interpreters for out-patient appointments & the Patient Feedback Afternoon Tea Session. We do not advise that family & friends are used as interpreters unless there is no alternative available at that time.

Your visitors

The visiting times on ward A8 are 10.00 -13.00 & 15.00 - 20.00 every day.
There is a rest period between 13.00 & 15.00 which is essential for patients in their recovery period.
We ask that you adhere to these times where possible.
If you wish to visit out side of these hours please speak to the nurse in charge of the ward & we will try and accommodate your request.
If you do visit outside of the normal hours you may be asked to see your relative/friend in the patient day room.

Please restrict the number of visitors to a maximum of 2 per bed.
We often have patients who are recovering from large operations and require rest - too many visitors can be very tiring.
If your relative/friend is well enough you may visit in the patient day-room or on the roof garden.

We do not advise that very young children or babies are brought to the ward as they can be disruptive for some patients if they are unsettled. Please speak to the nurse in charge if you wish to bring young children.
We request that any children visiting the ward are not allowed to run around the ward or make excessive noise.

Phone calls

We request that one member of the family is nominated as the person to call the ward staff to enquire about a relatives wellbeing. It can be quite time consuming for nursing staff to take numerous calls about each patient during a shift.
We are unable to give detailed information over the telephone due to confidentiality - where it is anticipated this will cause a problem, please ask to speak to the Senior Nurse or Head Nurse.
Every patient has a telephone beside their bed - you can call anytime between 08.00 & 21.00 on these phones. Calls into these lines are charged at mobile phone rates.

Food and drink

While in hospital you will be given a menu card 3 times a day. Please fill out and the hostess will collect them. If you need assistance to complete your menu card ask one of the staff on the ward. If you do not receive the meal you request or are unhappy with the food you receive you should inform the nurse caring for you or ask to speak to the Senior Nurse or Head Nurse. There is a selection of food; from low fat, high protein and small or large portion. A variety of ethnic food is also available.

Tea and coffee are available at all times and there are frequent trolley rounds. If you are hungry out of mealtime, you can choose a snack from the menu book, which is found on your bedside locker. However, due to health and safety reasons, cooked food or chilled drinks cannot be kept in the hospital fridge. Biscuits and confectionery can be stored in your locker. If you have any query please speak to your nurse.

Nutritional assessment: On admission your nurse will weigh you. She will also ask questions about your appetite and any weight loss. These questions may lead to a referral to a dietician.

The patient advice and liaison (PALS) service

As a patient, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for on-the-spot help, advice and support. This is where PALS (the Patient Advice and Liaison Service) comes in.

We provide confidential, on-the-spot advice and support, helping you to sort out concerns you may have about the care we provide, guiding you through the different services available from the NHS.

PALS aims to improve the service to NHS patients by:

• Advising and supporting patients, their families and carers
• Providing information on NHS services
• Listening to your concerns, suggestions or queries
• Helping sort out problems on your behalf

As problems can often be sorted out quite quickly, please contact us as soon as possible. If you wish to visit us in person, you can find us near the Admissions Office on the Ground Floor, South Corridor, which is near the main entrance of the hospital. You can also telephone on 020 8383 3322 fax on 020 8383 3122 or even email pals@hhnt.nhs.uk.

The service is currently available Monday - Friday from 9am until 5pm. These services are in addition to your right to access the complaints process.

Private Patients

For more information on our private patients facilities contact:

HPB Services Reception
First Floor, Area B
Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust
Du Cane Road
London W12 0HS

Email: liver@hhnt.nhs.uk

pancreas@hhnt.nhs.uk

Tel: 020 8383 3960