Inpatient information at Brentwood Hospital

From the reception staff who greet you and show you to your room, to the nurses, theatre practitioners, radiographers and physiotherapists who treat you, through to the housekeepers, catering staff and administrators who make sure everything runs smoothly, we're here for you.

Our nursing team are available to you 24 hours a day. You will be cared for by a team of nurses and each nurse will provide their colleagues with a thorough handover so they are always full informed. To ensure that you receive the best possible treatment the nursing team will involve you as much as possible in the planning of your care.

Resident Medical Officer (RMO)

Whilst your treatment and care is the responsibility of your admitting consultant, it is not possible for them to be on site within the hospital 24 hours a day. Therefore each of our hospitals has a ~Resident Medical Officer (RMO) – a doctor who stays on site 24 hours a day. They are there to assist the consultant and nurses in caring for you, providing the treatment you need in the consultant’s absence.

Chaperone

A chaperone – usually a nurse – will always be available to lend you support before and during your investigations and procedures. So please ask if you would like a member of the nursing team to stay with you during your consultation, examination or treatment.

Consent

Before any surgical procedure you will also be asked to sign a consent form. It is important that you understand your treatment so please remember that no concern is too small and our clinical staff are always available to discuss with you.

During your stay

You can be sure that you will be in comfortable, clean and bright surroundings. You can also be sure that we have thought of all the smaller things that make a big difference. At Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital all patient bedrooms are single occupancy and have an en suite bathroom.

Privacy
In the first few hours after surgery it is often necessary for bedroom doors on the ward to be left ajar. However, further into your recovery if you would prefer your door to be kept shut please advise your nurse.

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the first safety information in the section entitled ‘Your Safety’. Should the firm alarm sound you are advised to remain in your room and a member of staff will keep you informed of the situation.

Patients and visitors are reminded that we have a no smoking policy and smoking is not permitted in the building or in the hospital grounds.

In Room Facilities

• Television
• Telephone
• Free wireless internet
• Housekeeping
• Room temperature controls
• Complimentary toiletries

Personal electrical equipment
If you bring your own electrical equipment (such as a hairdryer or DVD Player) please tell your nurse so that our maintenance technician can check it for electrical safety. Your nurse will be happy to arrange for you to borrow a hairdryer should you require one.

Complimentary newspapers
Enjoy your favourite daily newspaper delivered to your room with our compliments. If you require any additional newspapers or magazines we will be happy to have them delivered to your room and charge to your account as an ‘extra’ item.

We also offer these additional services:

• Mail, messages and flowers
  If you would like to have mail delivered during your stay with us, it should be addressed to you by name at: Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital, Shenfield Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8EH. Messages and flowers can be left in reception and will be brought to your room as soon as they are received. Mail arriving after you have left the hospital will be forwarded to your home address unless otherwise advised. Stamps can be bought from the hospital if required. Reception staff will be happy to post your outgoing mail.
• Translation services
• Accessible information
• Clergy and faith leader visits
• Car parking
  Free car parking is available at the hospital but this can be limited during peak times.
• Taxis
  Should you or your visitors require taxi services, the reception team will be happy to arrange this for you.

Our menus
During your stay we will provide you with an excellent choice of freshly prepared dishes that are both very appetising and appropriate to your care. All are expertly served to you in your room by our ward serving staff.

Our menus are designed to cater for all special dietary requirements and include low fat, high fibre and vegetarian choices. You will find making a choice very easy as each dish has been coded by a dietician. Lighter options or smaller portions are always available to suit your appetite and there is a separate menu for our paediatric patients.

We will present you with menus each day and help you choose the most appropriate meal. In addition to our menu, we also offer a range of light bite snacks including freshly made sandwiches, available with white or wholemeal bread.

If you have any special dietary requirements or specific food allergies please let the ward serving staff know on admission so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Our chef will also be very happy to visit you in your room to discuss your individual needs.

Visiting hours
Your visitors are welcome through the day however we encourage all patients to rest between 1.30pm and 2.30pm and would therefore suggest that visits are planned around this quiet time.

Your recovery is of paramount importance and you may find that you are very tired following surgery. With this in mind visitors are encouraged to leave by 8.30pm (7.30pm Sat/Sun).

Please be mindful of other patients who may be resting whilst you are receiving your visitors. If you do not wish it to be known that you are in the hospital please inform reception.