Ward 18 - Critical care unit - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Ward 18 is an adult critical care unit. We specialise in major neurosurgery or a traumatic injury, where patients receive maximum support for their illness or surgery.

Patients with serious head, orthopaedic (including spinal) and other traumatic injuries are admitted to this critical care unit for emergency care and treatment. We also care for those who require major and complex neurosurgery. The home ventilation service is also based on this unit.

Our critical care areas are all mixed sex areas, accommodating patients in combinations of open bays and single patient cubicles. This is to allow close observation of our patients, or sometimes in the case of cubicles, to control infection. It is also because of the equipment needed around each bed area. To ensure the privacy and dignity of our patients, all bed areas are fitted with either curtains or blinds.

Critical Care Units can be quite busy places and often alarms will sound. They do not mean that anything is wrong. They are usually reminding us to do something, such as change a drip.

All patients will be attached to a monitor that shows heart rhythm, pulse and blood pressure. They often receive oxygen from facemask, or a ventilator (breathing machine) if they need help to breathe. The nurse at the bedside will explain all the equipment when you visit if required.

Enquires are welcome at any time, day or night. In the case of large families, could we request that one family member be elected to enquire.

Ward visiting times

Our visiting hours are open. Mornings are often very busy. Intensive therapy units have quiet periods from 2 and 3.30pm. During this time patients are encouraged to rest without interruption to aid their recovery.

Visitors will be asked to leave during ward rounds, usually between 9 and 10.30am. You may be asked to wait while we carry out procedures – this is unavoidable and we appreciate your understanding.

Things you need to know.

On arrival, please press the doorbell and wait until a member of staff can attend to you.
Due to limited space, usually only two people can be at the bedside at a time. This is flexible as circumstances allow.
Visitors will be asked to leave during ward rounds, usually between 9 and 10.30 am.
Visitors may be asked to wait while we carry out procedures, this is unavoidable.
Accommodation may be available for relatives of critically ill patients who live some distance from the hospital.
Visitors should access and pay for hospital parking as directed at the Pay and Display in the car parking areas. In special circumstances, with the approval of the nurse in charge of the unit, it may be possible to make a local arrangement for immediate relatives/next of kin to park their car when visiting for prolonged periods.
Translators are available for those people who cannot speak English.
All medical, nursing staff and visitors must wash or gel their hands before entering and on leaving the Unit to prevent infection.
All visitors should remove their coats (or equivalent) and leave them on the hooks provided before entering the Unit. You should take any valuables with them.
You can bring in photographs and cards as they recover. Favourite music tapes/CD’s can often help patients to rest and relax. Some Units have limited access to CD players, etc. Please ask staff for details.
Regrettably we cannot allow fresh flowers into the Unit for infection control reasons.
Within the Trust’s hospitals there is a strict no smoking policy.
Mobile phones must be turned off before entering any Critical Care area. Signals can interfere with electronic equipment and may endanger patient safety.