In this section
At Saint Mary's Hospital we work to make sure you have a good experience of care during your time in hospital.
We realise that you may feel anxious about coming into hospital for an operation. The medical and nursing staff understand how you feel and will be happy to answer any of your questions.
You can expect your operation to take place soon after your admission to hospital. However, this will depend on any tests that may be required first.
The team looking after you will keep you informed about the timings of your operation and will provide you with all the necessary information before and after surgery.
Medical details are entirely confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without your consent. However, the doctor or your named nurse will give your relatives who enquire a general indication of your progress.
Ward Staff
In charge of each ward is a co-ordinator, who may be a sister/charge nurse, senior staff nurse or a midwife. The co-ordinator’s name is displayed on a notice board at the reception desk.
During your stay there will be a named nurse or midwife allocated to co-ordinate your care. When your named nurse/midwife is off duty, another nurse/midwife will take over their duties. Please approach them if you have any questions.
Medical Staff
You will come into hospital under the care of a designated consultant. In most cases, you will have met your consultant at clinic where other members of the medical team may also have examined you. While you are in hospital you will be looked after by your consultant and members of their medical team.
Teaching and Research
Saint Mary’s Hospital is part of a large university hospital trust; this means that we teach medical, nursing and other allied healthcare students in addition to being actively involved in research programmes.
Medical students may accompany doctors during your care, although we would be grateful for your co-operation, we appreciate that you may wish to talk privately to your doctor. Please tell us if this is the case and your wishes will be respected. This will not affect the treatment you receive in any way.
You may be approached to take part in a research study relevant to your condition or treatment; you will be given information about the nature of the research and what will be involved. Please feel free to ask questions so that you can make an informed decision. If you decide that you do not wish to take part, be assured that this will not affect your treatment in any way.
Smoking
Protect yourself, patients, visitors and staff by adhering to our no smoking policy.
Smoking is not permitted within any of our hospital buildings or grounds.