General Information

Staff identification

All permanent members of staff wear a name badge that bears a photograph to help you identify them.

Hospital chaplains

A hospital chaplain is available to meet you or your relatives at any time, day or night.  Chaplains are willing to visit anyone - people of any faith or none.  Please ask a member of staff to contact a chaplain for you. 

Everyone is welcome to use the hospital chapel, to appreciate its stillness and for personal prayer and reflection.  The Chapel / Quiet Room is located in the main block on the corridor leading to X-Ray, near the Porter's Office.

If you wish, the Chaplaincy Department will be happy to inform your local church or faith group that you are in hospital. Please make sure that you provide this information when you are admitted.

More information about the spiritual care at our hospitals.

Social Work Department

Social workers are available in the hospital to discuss any non-medical problems resulting from your admission. They may arrange placements in residential and nursing homes and other complex care packages. Community care co-ordinators can assess for and arrange community services for patients being discharged from Woodend Hospital, to all areas. They can be contacted through the nurse in charge of the ward.

Patient advocacy

As a patient of NHS Grampian you are entitled to the service of an independent advocate. Independent advocates offer support by helping you to:

• know and understand your rights
• express how you feel about what is happening to you
• work out choices, possible actions and the likely outcome in each case
• progress whatever action you have decided on, in partnership with health staff
• assess how things are working out and change plans if necessary.

If you would like to find out more about the advocacy service, please ask a member of staff in the hospital or contact the service directly.

Advocacy Service Aberdeen is a voluntary organisation with charitable status and is based at :
Aberdeen Business Centre
Willowbank House
Willowbank Road
Aberdeen
AB11 6YG

Tel:  (01224) 332314 
Email:  asa@advocacy.org.uk
Website:  www.advocacy.org.uk

Advocacy North East (Aberdeenshire) is based at :
Unit 2
Dalfling Business Centre
Blairdaff
Inverurie
Aberdeenshire
AB51 5LA

Tel:  (01467) 651604
Email:  advocacyne@btconnect.com
Website:  www.advocacy-north-east.org.uk

Advocacy North East (Moray) is based at :
Unit 11
Elgin Business Centre
Maisondieu Road
Elgin
Moray
IV30 1RH

Tel:  (01343) 559649
Email:  advocacynemoray@btconnect.com
Website:  www.advocacy-north-east.org.uk

Do you look after someone?

Carers look after family, partners and friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability, mental illness or a substance misuse. The care they provide is unpaid. It is important not to confuse carers with employed care workers. If one of the roles in your life is that of a carer, information, advice and support is available across Grampian.

VSA Carers' Centre, 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen (01224 212021) can help you to access your local contact point. If you live in Moray, contact Quarriers (carers' support) on (01343) 556031.

Fire alarms

The fire alarm is tested every Thursday morning. Staff will tell you if you should leave the area at any time.

Mobile phones

The use of mobile phones is not permitted in the hospital. The signals can affect vital medical equipment. Please switch off your mobile phone before you enter the hospital.

Telephones

There are coin operated public telephones available throughout the hospital.

Taxis

There are freephones for a taxi service available throughout the hospital.

Smoking

NHS Grampian recognises that tobacco smoke causes discomfort and ill-health to everyone, whether they smoke or not.  Therefore smoking is not allowed within hospital buildings and at entrances.

With permission of ward staff, patients who do not wish to stop smoking while in hospital may smoke in the designated areas outside the hospital buildings.

Alcohol

Alcohol must not be consumed in the hospital or its grounds.

Drugs

NHS Grampian does not accept unauthorised drugs or illicit substances being brought on to its premises.

Violence and aggression

To ensure staff are able to provide and patients are able to receive health care of the highest quality, NHS Grampian requests that service users:

Do not act in a manner that humiliates, frightens or makes staff or other patients feel unsafe or vulnerable. This includes verbal abuse, threats, antisocial behaviour, harassment, bullying and physical assault. NHS Grampian takes this behaviour extremely seriously and will take appropriate action in all cases.