Health records and personal and Trust information

You may be receiving care from other organisations as well as the NHS, for example, Social Services. In these circumstances we may need to share some information about you; your consent will be sort.

We only ever use or pass on information if people have a genuine need for it. We only provide essential information and anyone who receives information from us is also under legal duty to ensure that it remains confidential.

We do not provide information to any other organisations, such as the police, unless the law requires us to do so. The hospital chaplaincy service has access to a very limited amount of patient information collected by the Trust.

This information provides the chaplaincy service with personal information such as your name, address, religion, and ward details. If you do not wish the chaplaincy service to have access to this personal information please contact a member of staff. The chaplaincy service does not access any of your treatment or clinical details.

The hospital wishes to keep you informed of developments regarding Foundation Trust (FT) Status (see separate section below). If you do not want this information, please phone the FT Office on 01782 555533.

The Data Protection Act allows you to request what information we hold on you. There is a fee for this. If you wish to have copy of your records you need to make a formal request by downloading the application form, complete it and send it in to the Trust. Additionally, you are able to request a copy of a clinical letter about you which this trust produces following any consultation. If you wish to receive a copy of your clinical letter please advise staff when you attend the hospital; this service is free.

Via this website, the Trust is committed to publicising an abundance of information however, additionally, The Freedom of Information Act 2000 enables anyone to access non-personal information that the Trust holds; the provision of information is subject to certain conditions and exemptions. For enquiries please telephone Catherine Warwick on 01782 554040 or email catherine.warwick@uhns.nhs.uk or foi@uhns.nhs.uk. Alternatively please visit the 'UHNS Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme' where current information is available.

Chaplaincy Team/Religious Services This team consists of Church of England, Free Church & Roman Catholic chaplains. It helps with the spiritual care of patients and visitors, meets any religious needs and will make provision for you to practice your religion.

Many people find that coming into hospital gives rise to feelings of uncertainty and questions about what is important in their lives. You may have to come to terms with difficult issues which can lead to feelings that may be difficult to cope with alone. Sharing these thoughts, although not always easy, can often help us to be healthier. Chaplains try and visit the wards regularly and offer you a moment of time should you wish to talk through some of these issues.

If you would like to request a visit from one of the chaplains or any other religious leader please ask a member of staff. For patients of non-Christian faiths local contacts are available through the hospital Chaplains. A Chaplain is available at all times. Anything said to a Chaplain is always kept in confidence.

There is a Mosque located opposite the Parish Buildings on the City General site. It is available for Muslim Prayers. The key code can be obtained from the Reception Desk in the Surgical and Paediatric Block.

Hospital Social Services Team The hospital has a Social Services Team. They help people to arrange for their return home if they are likely to need help with any of the normal activities of life. If someone is unable to return to their own home, they will discuss alternatives and help people to make choices and the necessary arrangements. This should be discussed with ward staff who will refer you to the Team. A Social Worker will visit you and your family to discuss this. A private interview away from the ward is also possible.

Hospital Safety Hospitals are complex organisations that undertake a large range of treatments and employ a wide variety of staff. Patient, visitor and staff safety is one of our principle aims. However, research has shown that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results.

Some specific tips for you to follow include:
 

•          Make sure that the medical and nursing staff know all the medicines and tablets you are taking, any allergies you may have or any previous adverse reactions to any medicines or other substances.

•          Speak up if you have any questions or concerns.

•          Learn about your condition and treatments by asking the nurse or doctor and by using other reliable sources of information.

•          When you are being discharged, make sure you are aware of what you should or should not do when you are at home. In particular, that you know about the medicines given to you, what activities you can undertake (when relevant) and what to do if you have any concerns or problems.

•          If you wish to leave the ward, please talk to a member of staff as they need to know your whereabouts. In certain instances, it may not be appropriate for you to leave when, say, an investigation is due or it may not be appropriate for you to visit some areas of the hospital if you have certain drainage tubes in place or if you have an infection.

•          Whilst you are in hospital there may be an increased risk of a blood clot occurring in the deep veins of your legs, especially if your mobility is reduced. This could have a serious affect on your health. The risk of this occurring will be assessed by the team looking after you and appropriate measures to reduce this risk will be offered to you. We encourage you to be as mobile as possible based on your individual medical condition.

•          Fire alarms are tested every Tuesday morning. If the fire alarms activate for more than 20 seconds then the normal fire procedure should be put into place and staff will advise accordingly if you need to take any action.

   

Many people are involved in caring for you while you are in hospital and they all wear a name badge. Staff will introduce themselves but if you are in doubt about who they are, please ask them to explain who they are.