Respiratory

Ward 4 is a 28 bedded ward, situated on the first floor of Macclesfield District General Hospital and treats both male and female patients with acute medical conditions, specialising in respiratory.
 
Most patients will be admitted to Ward 4 from the Emergency Department, and the Egerton Unit. All patients will be seen by the admitting consultant within 24 hours.
 
The staff on Ward 4 aim to provide a high quality service in a safe environment where the needs of each patient are cared for in a professional and holistic manner by using all available specialist knowledge and skills. The wellbeing of all our patients relies on appropriate and timely assessment, investigation, treatment and care. The aim is to promote optimum health through good communication, teaching and provision of adequate information.

About the unit

Ward 4 comprises of four six bedded bays and four side rooms. The use of the side rooms is decided on a clinical/priority basis.  

The team

Consultants: Dr Stead and Dr Babores, who are both Consultant General and Respiratory Physicians. Both consultants conduct ward rounds on a Tuesday and Friday morning.   
Each consultant is supported by a team of three doctors - one specialist registrar, one senior house officer and one junior house officer. The team will review the consultants patients daily during the week. They also take part in the “on calls”, therefore are not all present on the ward each day.
 
Matron: Penny Cotterill a major part of Penny's remit is to ensure that the patient experience is positive. It is also her role to ensure that quality standards of care are maintained and she can be seen on a regular basis auditing the unit with the Infection Control Team and housekeeper to ensure optimal cleaning standards are achieved.
 
Ward Managers: Kate Johnson 
 
Ward Sister: Natalie Barnett and Diane Wainwright. In addition to Natalie and Diane there is a full team of nursing and support staff to assist with care.
 
Ward clerk: Assists with the daily running and administration of the ward.
 
Housekeeper: Supports the maintenance of cleanliness and ordering of supplies and facilitates the smooth running of the ward. The housekeeper wears a lilac tunic. 

Other staff you might meet on the ward

Occupational therapist: The occupational therapist provides specialist treatment to enable a safe and successful transition back into the community.
 
Physiotherapist: The aim of the Physiotherapy Team is to provide a specialised treatment plan which will enable patients to achieve their maximum physical potential.
 
Social worker: There is a unit based social worker who is able to assist with the discharge process and any issues concerning discharge. The social worker is also able to advise or welfare rights, housing issues and appropriate support groups.
 
Respiratory nurse specialist: Are specially trained in respiratory disease and visit the ward on a daily basis.
 
Lung cancer nurse specialist: Are specially trained in lung cancer and visit the ward Mondays to Fridays .
 
Medical nurse practitioners: Are specially trained to provide support to the medical and nursing teams and visit the ward on a daily basis when required.
 
Tissue viability nurse specialist: Specialise in the prevention and management of pressure sores, wounds and dressings.
 
Dieticians: visit the ward as required, referrals are made via the named nurse.
 
Discharge co-ordinator: who will assist with your discharge planning if required.
 
Phlebotomist (technician skilled in taking blood): They visit daily to collect blood samples requested by the medical team. Specialist nurses if your condition or care requires the input of a specialist nurse, this will be arranged by the Medical Admissions Unit ward staff. Student nurses may be on placement on the unit.
 
Ward clerk: Assists with the daily running and administration of the ward.
 
Housekeeper: Supports the maintenance of cleanliness and ordering of supplies and facilitates the smooth running of the ward. The housekeeper wears a lilac tunic.
 
There are also work experience students on the ward from the age of 16 years upwards.
 
All staff will introduce themselves to you but if you are at all unclear please ask.

Visit our who's who section for more information

Hand washing

Infection control is an issue at the forefront of most people’s minds when coming into hospital. To help the unit stop infection please wash your hands on arrival and departure, you will find a sink located at the entrance of the unit. Alcohol gel dispensers are also strategically located throughout the unit.
 
You are also encouraged to ask nursing and clinical staff if they have washed their hands prior to examination. 

More information

Contact the ward on 01625 661004/1093/1876.
 
Meetings can be arranged with the junior medical staff via the ward clerk.
 
If relatives are ringing to enquire about your condition please nominate one of your family members to be a single point of contact to reduce the numbers of calls to the ward.
 
If you would like to arrange an appointment to see either consultant, please contact the secretary direct, from Monday to Friday.

Dr Stead’s secretary: 01625 661350  
Dr Babores’ secretary: 01626 663211

Please note that the consultant cannot discuss patient care or treatment over the telephone due to patient confidentiality.