Life on the ward comes with routines and expectations designed to keep everyone safe and comfortable. This section explains practical matters such as what you can bring, visiting arrangements, and the facilities available, so you know what to expect day to day.

When you are admitted, it is important that we first help to stabilise your physical health and this will be the initial priority,

This involves helping you to adhere to the meal plan, so that you can begin to improve your physical health and nutrition. We will regularly monitor your physical health through blood tests, blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and body mass index as well as other physical health investigations.  The refeeding process itself can cause physical health issues and this monitoring is essential for your safety

You may be asked to remain on the ward for the first few days, so that the staff can closely monitor your health. This is very important in ensuring we are providing you with good, safe care.

Once your physical health is more stable, short periods off the ward can commence. These usually start as two 15 minute fresh air breaks a day with staff, eventually building up to unescorted time off the ward, which will depend on your progress and physical health.

Once your physical health is stable and you have progressed in your meal plan, the OT Team will work with you, to begin preparing for leave. This involves going for snacks and lunches off the ward. Once you are happy with eating out, you may start to do this with family and friends. As things improve and you feel more confident eating away from the ward, your time off the ward and at home is increased.

It is vital to prepare patients adequately for eventually going home. We find they have the best chance of doing this, if a gradual process is  followed. However, we understand that it can be very frustrating for    patients to be on the ward for long periods of time without any leave.

If you have any questions about leave, please discuss this with your named nurse or another member of staff. Leave is then usually discussed further with your consultant in ward round.

People can bring most of their home comforts to the ward such as clothing, photos, electronic equipment including phones, computers and hairdryers. Some items e.g. duvets are not permitted due to fire regulations.

Your belongings will be reviewed with you, when you are admitted to the ward.

Please see the full list below of what you can and cannot bring to the ward. 

You require the following items on the ward

Please do not bring in

  • Changes of clothing
    (day wear – we encourage you to wear     daytime attire to maintain dignity and a normal routine)
  • Night wear
    (including dressing gown for you to wear in     communal areas)
  • Underwear
  • Toiletries
    including shower gel, bubble bath, shampoo, deodorant,     toothbrush, toothpaste, and shaving foam and razors if appropriate
  • Slippers or indoor footwear
    (please ensure appropriate footwear     which is comfortable, well-fitting and supportive)
  • Outdoor footwear
  • A jacket or coat
    (should you go out for walks or to attend     appointments)
  • Personal belongings
    such as a book, puzzle books, magazines
  • Small amount of money
    (if you would like to purchase magazines/newspapers from local shops)
  • Mobility aid(s) the patient usually uses
    (e.g. zimmer frame)
  • Sensory aids the patient requires
    e.g. glasses, hearing aids)     
  • Cigarettes
  • Plastic bags, knives, weapons
  • Any ignition sources such as lighters or matches
  • Alcohol and/or illicit substances
  • Sharp items including glass (e.g. in photo frames), scissors, nail clippers and mirrors. Please give any razors in to staff
  • Large amounts of cash
  • Valuable items (including jewellery, expensive clothing, and items of great sentimental value)

 


Due to the nature of the ward, items may be misplaced and lost. CWP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any personal or other property on its premises, except for any personal property deposited with CWP for safekeeping in accordance with Trust policy.

Routine room searches are conducted as part of ward policy, to ensure that no inappropriate items are being brought on to the ward.

We appreciate that social media and technology is a big part of todays society, whilst on the ward we ask that you do not take photos on the ward or discuss other patients on social media, this is to protect everyone’s confidentiality.

Any such property remains the owner’s responsibility and at the owner’s risk. As we cannot be held responsible for cash and/or valuables retained by you on the ward, we would not recommend these items being brought to the ward. Cash and valuables can be deposited in the patients’ bank at Springview. 

There are charging facilities in the day room or office to charge items. Please make sure these are labelled to avoid them going missing If you bring in any personal electronic equipment such as radios or televisions, these will need to be safety checked by CWP staff before they can be used. Please only bring the charges you need to the ward and these will be kept in the universal charger. Chargers are not allowed in bedrooms due to fire risk.

Ward staff will arrange this. If you are unsure about what items are suitable to bring onto Oaktrees, please discuss this with a member of staff.

We encourage everyone on Oaktrees to be respectful of each other.

Patients all have different needs and require different levels of support, and we ask you to please be tolerant of this.

If you or your family/friends/carers feel unhappy or unsafe on Oaktrees, or have any queries, please discuss these with staff. 

We ask that you dress in a manner which is considered appropriate by the ward team.

This may seem a little strict, but if you expose too much of your body, it may exacerbate other patients’ worries about their own body image, so:

  • Skirts and dresses must be of an appropriate length.
  • Shorts and hot pants are not acceptable
  • Low-cut or sleeveless tops are not acceptable
  • The upper arms and collar bones must be covered. This also applies to any nightwear worn outside of your room
  • Nightwear or dressing gowns are not acceptable at the dinner table. However, they are acceptable at supper time.
  • Hats are not acceptable at the dining table, and hoods must not be up

Oaktrees Ward is a 14-bedded unit for both female and male patients. When you arrive you will be shown around and we hope you will soon settle into the structure and daily routine of the ward.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms
You will have your own individual bedroom on the ward. Ten of the rooms also have en-suite bathrooms. For an initial period of assessment after admission and, depending on what difficulties you are having with your eating disorder, it may be necessary to lock your

bathroom. In some circumstances it may be necessary for a nurse to attend the bathroom with you.

Dining Room
All patients eat together in the dining room with ward staff.

Lounge and Quiet Rooms
There is a communal lounge and also quiet rooms where you can spend time with staff and fellow patients. There are games, activities and TV available. The ward also has free WiFi for you to use. Please ask a staff member for the password.

Laundry
There is laundry, with a washing machine and tumble dryer on the ward, that all patients can use.

Garden
There is a garden on site for fresh air breaks which you visit. Depending on the stage of your treatment, you can also visit here with family and friends. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the ward, but you can see them in the garden. 

There are several cafés available on the Clatterbridge Hospital site as follows:

Ground floor of the oncology building

This is to the rear of the hospital site and serves drinks and light snacks

 Opening times: Monday-Friday, 8am-5:30pm

                           Saturday-Sunday, 12:30pm-4:30pm

 Firtrees café

This is near the out patient department and main reception towards the centre of the hospital site and serves drinks and hot/cold meals.

Opening times: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm.

St John’s Hospice ‘The Hub’ café

This is at the front of the hospital site and serves drinks and light snacks

Opening times: Monday-Sunday, 10am-4pm

There is a small shop in the oncology building selling magazines, newspapers, drinks, snacks and other amenities.  Firtrees also sells newspapers and some drinks/snacks. There is a gift shop at St John’s Hospice. Opening times vary.