C4 (Georgina Unit) specialises in treating haematology patients with both benign and malignant diseases. There are eight haematology consultants supported by a two permanent specialty doctors and registrars. There are four clinical nurse specialists within the team. The unit has level III accreditation, which enables us to perform apheresis and autologous stem cell transplants. It is a 22 bedded unit with six positive pressure isolation rooms which have en-suite facilities. All beds in the inpatient unit have individual televisions that are free for patients to use throughout their stay. The unit also has a day case, compromising of 12 reclining chairs and two triage trolley spaces. The triage service runs on SDEC from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, where patients can be assessed and treated as needed. Out of these hours, there is a 24 hour telephone advice line for patients. There is a home chemotherapy service available to haematology patients on selected treatments.

Within the unit, there are outpatient clinics that run each day with two dedicated waiting rooms, both with television screens and access to a free drinks machine. Within the POD waiting room, there is a phlebotomy service each weekday morning to ensure that patients can have urgent blood tests performed.

The Anticoagulation Department is a nurse-led service with consultant haematologist support and led by clinical nurse specialist for anticoagulation/thrombosis. The team are responsible for ensuring the safe management of patients who require anticoagulation for various conditions including DVT, PE, AF and patients who require treatment to prevent DVT and PE during pregnancy or whilst in hospital.

On behalf of the team who will be caring for you, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Russells Hall Hospital.

This elective medical unit treats over 6000 patients a year from six different specialities to help control and alleviate their medical conditions and avoid hospital admission. Our treatments range from infusions, transfusions and injections, to biopsies and paracentesis drains. We pride ourselves on the standard of care we give and the relationships we build with our patients.

The Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic is a dedicated and experienced nurse led team. The team provides assessment, scanning, clinical care, counselling, advice, management and follow-up for ladies experiencing difficulties in the early stages of pregnancy.

The unit can provide assistance to ladies who are between 6 and 20 weeks gestation, have a positive pregnancy test and are experiencing bleeding, pain or other complications in early pregnancy.

The dedicated Endocrine and Diabetes Centre operates from the north wing at Russells Hall Hospital. The centre assists in the long-term management of patients with diabetes and endocrine conditions.

Diabetes

Patients can benefit from services such as:

• Specialist diabetes service during hospital stay
• Multi-disciplinary support for intensive insulin therapy
• Pre-conception and antenatal care
• Adolescence care
• Hybrid Closed Loop Insulin pump treatment
• Carbohydrate counting courses
• Specialist foot clinic
• Optimisation of diabetes control ahead of elective procedures.

We are also a research active unit and conduct clinical trials as well as real-world studies.

We are a centre for the ADDRESS-2 study, which invites patients with type 1 diabetes diagnosed in the last 6 months to join. Further information is found here: ADDRESS-2 type 1 diabetes – Supporting type 1 diabetes research

Endocrinology

The endocrinology department offers a wide range of services, including:

• General endocrinology
• Pituitary
• Growth
• Adrenal
• Thyroid
• Calcium and metabolic bone disorders

In addition, we have a reproductive endocrinology service which also includes management of:

• Subfertility
• Endocrine disorders during pregnancy
• Gonadal disorders

The endocrine service is multi-disciplinary and supported by a dedicated endocrine nurse specialist.

We also offer for our primary care colleagues, consultant-led e-referral advice and guidance system, as well as practice-based diabetes MDT review. The quality of our services have been commended nationally and by peer review via the Getting It Right First Time Programme.

The Disability Support Team offers a Case Management service to people with acquired complex or severe physical and cognitive impairment to help them achieve a full and purposeful life. The service is available to people who:

• Are aged 16-64 years or are in receipt of working age benefits.
• Have a complex/severe physical and/or cognitive needs.

OR

• Have a progressive medical condition e.g. MS, MND, Parkinson’s Disease,  complex need.

OR

• Have an Acquired Brain Injury.

Patients are allocated to a Case Manager who will discuss issues that the patient has identified as being important to them. The Case Manager will use their expertise, extensive contacts, knowledge of the services available and a problem-solving approach to establish agreed and shared goals. This often runs alongside therapy input and allows patients to focus and maximise their rehabilitation therapy interventions during therapy sessions, knowing that Case Managers can support with the other complexities that can affect day to day life.

Case Managers also have experiencing in supporting individuals with Acquired Brain Injury and can provide skilled intervention to address the needs of their ‘hidden’ disability.

The Disability Support Team is a community-based service and therefore patients are usually seen in their homes and supported in the community. Case Managers support with issues such as disability related benefits, housing, education, return to work, getting back out into the community, accessing services and liaising with professionals.

The Orthotics team supply devices which are externally fitted to the body. Such as ankle, leg and hip braces, foot orthotics and custom-made footwear, and spinal braces that are used to correct physical instabilities or improve mobility and function.

The team supports a wide range of services including: paediatrics, orthopaedics, rheumatology, diabetes, rehabilitation, vascular & maternity.

The Orthotic team are:

• Louise Collins, administrator
• Chander Joshi, assistant administrator
• Donna Smith, hosiery practitioner
• Orthotists

The orthodontic and dentofacial service centres around three main areas:

• Treatment of irregularities of the teeth
• Treatment of jaw disproportion
• Congenital deformities of the head

Joint clinics are held with other specialties including maxillofacial surgery.

The department does not undertake routine dental treatment such as fillings, denture work or the treatment of gum conditions.

The Trust has two orthodontic assistants supporting two specialist orthodontists, who are appropriately qualified and registered with the General Dental Council to treat all orthodontic conditions.

Minor problems are generally referred back to your dentist with a treatment plan.

General medicine/elderly care includes a general medical ward, and rehabilitation facilities. There are consultants specialising in areas such as stroke, orthogeriatrics, acute elderly care and rehabilitation.

Outpatient clinics are held at Russells Hall Hospital and Corbett Hospital Outpatient Centre.

The rehabilitation department host some of the latest rehab machines that can help with the patients’ progression to walking again at an earlier stage. The whole body is strapped in and helps balance the weight of the patient while stimulating the body to walk again.

Occupational therapy offers both inpatient and outpatient facilities. The Occupational Therapist for rheumatology is Helen Robertson.

Inpatient services

It aims to help you regain the ability to undertake everyday tasks like getting yourself in and out of bed, getting washed and dressed, preparing hot drinks and meals, all things that you may find difficult following an illness or surgery.

We will also discuss with you about your home environment as you may need some adaption’s to your home or some specialist equipment to help you undertake everyday tasks as independently as possible.

We undertake specialist exercise programmes to help you regain movement and coordination. It is helpful if you have clothes and well fitting shoes with you in hospital. We may undertake the following assessments:

• Washing and dressing
• Transfers on and off – bed, chair, toilet, etc.
• Kitchen activities
• Feeding assessments

Outpatient services

The outpatient services offers:

• Hand therapy rehabilitation
• Rheumatoid arthritis

The hand therapy rehabilitation is to help people who have suffered a hand injury or who have had hand surgery. This will include an assessment of your hand movements and treatment may include an exercise programme and specialist splinting.

For our patients who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, we aim to educate and advise you on how to manage your condition. This may include specific information about preventing deterioration of your joints, use of specialist equipment or splinting.

Outpatient appointments are via referral only by a consultant or rheumatology clinical nurse specialist.