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Visiting general information

The Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit is located on the first floor of the main hospital, above the emergency department. Access to the intensive care unit is by pressing the bell at the main door.

At every visit you will be required to wash your hands and use alcohol gel in one of the designated sinks on arrival and before you leave, and wear an apron around the bed space. This is an infection control measure to protect you and all the patients.

The Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit has a flexible visiting policy, but every morning a ward round is held by the Intensive Care Consultant in charge. It is therefore best to visit in the afternoon so that we can make any decisions concerning treatment and can give you the most up-to-date information.

There will be times when we may be particularly busy caring for your relative/friend, but whatever is being carried out is for their benefit, so please be patient with us – we will call you in as soon as possible

During nurse handover times, the patients’ conditions are discussed and to protect privacy and the confidentiality visitors are asked to wait outside, or time your visits accordingly.

Shift handovers are:-

07:30 hrs – 08:00 hrs

13:30 hrs – 14:00 hrs

19:45 hrs – 20:00 hrs

Although our unit has flexible visiting times we do encourage patients rest period from 2.00pm to 3.30pm each day, and for visiting to end at 7.45pm, as rest is a fundamental part of the recovery process.

Who can visit intensive care

A quiet, restful atmosphere is necessary because of the patients’ condition. We therefore suggest only close relatives/friends visit initially, but if there are particular people you would like to visit we leave it to your discretion.

We only allow two visitors at a time as there is limited space around the bed. If the patient is conscious, we recommend visiting is limited to short periods to ensure they get sufficient rest.

Remember your relative/friend is going to need you in good health, so it is important that you take good care of yourself, get plenty of rest and eat regularly. Children are allowed to visit but this should be following discussion with the nurse in charge; babies are discouraged from visiting for their own protection.

Facilities for friends and relatives

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are available in the ICU Relatives room.

The Restaurant on the first floor is open to relatives Monday to Friday. The hospital restaurant provides a full menu of hot and cold meals, snacks and beverages.

Opening times:

9.30am – 10.30am

12.30pm – 2.00pm

3.00pm – 3.30pm

6.15pm – 8.00pm

At other times, a vending machine containing snacks and drinks is located in the restaurant approach corridor. Cold drink vending machines are located along the main corridors.

There is also a W.R.V.S coffee shop situated in the hospital main entrance for the sale of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes etc.

Newspapers, drinks, snacks, gifts, etc. can be obtained from WHSmiths which can also be found in the main entrance.

Relatives Room

There is a relative’s room with seating facilities which may be used overnight if necessary. A single folding bed can be made available for a relative who needs to stay overnight in an emergency. Please ask the nursing staff if you need to use it. Remember that on the whole it is more beneficial for your health and welfare if you return home for a rest and to freshen up.

The relative’s room is situated a short distance from the ICU on the approach corridor. There are drinks available.

Religious Support

The hospital chapel is located about half way along the top main corridor on the left as you leave ICU. It is always open for the use of anyone of any faith.

The Anglican, Free Church and Roman Catholic Chaplains are on call 24 hours a day. Ask the nursing staff to contact them if you wish to see them, or for them to minister to your relative. If you wish a representative of your faith to visit your relative please speak to the nursing staff to make arrangements.

Toilets

Toilets are situated on the main hospital corridor. The nearest toilets to Intensive Care Unit are located on the right hand side of the restaurant approach corridor.

Public Transport

A regular bus service operates between the hospital and Redditch town centre, as well as other destinations. Time-tables are available at the front reception desk.

Contacting the unit

You may call to ask about your relatives’ progress at any time of the day or night, but we are only able to give you limited information over the phone. We appreciate that many family and friends may want to enquire about the patient, however, to reduce the number of calls it would be helpful if one person could be chosen to be the link to keep family members and friends informed.

Car parking

The Trust operates a ‘Pay and Display’ car park. As visitors often spend long periods of time in the ICU, we are able to issue concessionary car parking passes to close family/friends for the duration of the patients stay. Please ask a member of staff.

If you are called to the ICU urgently, please park your car in any designated parking space and we will liaise with security when you arrive.