Your Inpatient stay: About your stay in hospital

During your stay we encourage you to be fully involved with doctors, nurses and other staff in decisions about your care. Please ask if you don’t understand any plans or decisions.

COVID-19 Protective Measures

The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a number of new safety measures in our premises, to protect you, other patients, visitors and our staff.

You may notice several changes in the hospital, for example, the staff caring for you will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Staff will be wearing masks and, depending on the situation, may also wear aprons, visors, or gloves.

There will also be physical distancing between beds in the wards to keep you safe and where possible, you will be asked to wear a face mask (with exceptions – the staff will explain these to you). The visiting arrangements will be explained to you on admission. 

Consent and Treatment

Tests, examinations and treatments will be explained to you by the doctors, nurses and other health professionals looking after you. You may be asked to sign a consent form for treatment. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your clinician to repeat or clarify what they meant. It is important to us that you fully understand the risks and benefits of your care and treatment at all stages, and we encourage you to ask questions, in order that you can give informed consent.

For further information about consent, including consent for a child, please click here.

Ward Routines

All patients will receive a ‘Admission and Discharge’ information pack’ leaflet to help you during your hospital stay. If you any further questions please ask a member of staff.

Ward Rounds

You will be visited by a clinician daily. An appointment can be made for you and/or your family to speak with your clinician/doctor if you wish.

Nurse Rounds

Nurses will check on you regularly, based on your own particular needs.

If you wish, a friend or relative may be present when tests or treatments are explained to you. As part of your treatment, you may be referred to other specialist doctors or other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists or x-ray staff.

NHS Inform offer information on accessing health and care services in Scotland, and your rights when using them. For further information please click here.

Information about your care and treatment

If you or your relatives wish to discuss any aspect of your care or treatment with your doctor or health care professional, this can be arranged by contacting the relevant Medical Secretary. Please ask a nurse to arrange this for you.

If you would like to receive a copy of all or part of your medical record, you have the right to request this under a Subject Access Request. If preferred, an electronic copy can be requested. Your right is to the data relating to you and you only, and not necessarily the record itself which can, where appropriate, be redacted if third parties are named. Should you require assistance please contact the Information Governance Manager.

If you would like to apply for access to your medical record, please write to:

Information Governance Manager
Western Isles Health Board
37 South Beach
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BB
Tel: 01851 702997
Email: wi.infogov-wihb@nhs.scot

You have the right to request a second opinion. If you feel this is necessary, please ask the consultant or doctor in charge of your care.

Visitors

We observe Person Centred Visiting.  However, during periods of high activity visitors may be asked to leave the ward so we can carry out daily activities; visiting cannot interrupt planned interventions and therapies. 

Please make sure that no more than two people visit any patient at any one time.

Click here to view our Person Centred Visitors Charter.

Virtual Visiting

The ‘Virtual Visiting’ service enables hospital inpatients to keep in touch with friends and family via video call. This service is for patients who do not have their own mobile phone, tablet or laptop to use.

If you wish to arrange virtual visiting with a patient, please contact the Ward Clerk of the ward that the patient is on.  They will be able to liaise between the staff, patient and you on a mutually suitable day/time.  To find out more about Virtual Visiting, click here.

Hand hygiene and infection control

NHS Western Isles is proud that our infection rates remain low and that our hand hygiene compliance rate is consistently high.

Hand washing is the single most important measure for reducing the spread of bugs, such as MRSA. Patient and relative information leaflets and posters can be accessed in all wards.
Hand hygiene stations are in place outside all wards – these are for patients, visitors and staff – and we strongly encourage their use.

Change of Ward/Room

In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to transfer you to another room or ward. If this happens, the reason for the change will be explained to you and your next of kin will be informed. Single rooms are allocated strictly in accordance with each individual patient's clinical need.

Protected Mealtimes

Patients are offered three main meals a day, consisting of breakfast, lunch, and evening meal (including provision for special diets). If you require a special diet, please let us know as far in advance as possible so that we can make necessary arrangements.

Patients select their choices from individual menu cards and are offered a choice of portion size. Hot beverages are available on each ward and are served at breakfast-time, mid-morning, mid-afternoon, with the evening meal and in the late evening.

Protected Mealtimes ensure patients are not disturbed by a clinician. Family members are welcome during protected mealtimes to assist or encourage eating. The following protected mealtimes times are approximate, please check times on the ward patient information board for accurate times – breakfast (8am-9am), main meal (12pm-1pm), evening meal (5pm-6pm). Refreshments and snacks are available all day. If you have any queries please ask a member of staff.

Smoking

The days of smoking on NHS grounds have drawn to a close and E-cigarettes are also not allowed in NHS buildings or on NHS grounds. Whether you’re just visiting NHS Grounds for an hour or two, or in for a longer stay, the Quit Your Way Hebrides smoking cessation service is available to chat through the best options to help you manage. Simply contact (01851) 701623 or wi.hebridesquityourway@nhs.scot.

Other services for patients

Newspapers are available daily from the shop in Western Isles Hospital (except Sundays). Newspapers can be purchased on request for patients in Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh and St Brendan's Hospital.

Televisions are available in the day rooms and sitting rooms. Some wards have portable televisions for patients to use.

Media Devices

WiFi
Free public WiFi is available within NHS Western Isles premises.

Mobile, Tablet and Laptop
Mobile, tablet and laptops are permitted in many areas of the hospital. Some exceptions may apply. Check with your named nurse if you are unsure. Please be considerate to others:

  • switch your device to silent, vibrate or use headphones
  • video recording and photography is forbidden

The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Department provides a range of services to patients, relatives and staff. These include:

  • bedside visits
  • regular religious services
  • bereavement services
  • Chaplains who are on call 24/7 and are available to see you at any time if you wish. Please ask staff on the ward to call a Chaplain for you if you so wish.