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Surgical Emergency Unit
The Surgical Emergency Unit is a special unit in the John Radcliffe Hospital for the care of surgical emergency patients. Instead of having to wait in the hospital's Emergency Department, patients who may need emergency surgery are referred directly to the unit by their GP.
When you first arrive in the unit you will be seen by a nurse who will assess your needs. This process is called 'triage'. You will then be seen by a doctor.
We will do our very best to ensure that you are seen and treated as quickly as possible, but you may have to wait a while for the doctor to see you. Unless you have permission from the nurse or doctor, please do not eat or drink during this time: if you do it could have an effect on our ability to treat you.
After the doctor sees you, you may be asked to stay for further assessment or tests. You may then either be allowed home or admitted to the ward area of the unit. If you are admitted, we may later move you to another, more suitable ward or unit in the Trust. This is so that other emergency patients can be admitted.
There are both female and male ward areas.
Visiting and staying in hospital
Mobile phones
Please do not use your mobile phone within the unit: this is because it may affect some of our monitoring equipment. If you have to use your phone you can do so in the corridors or lift lobby outside the unit.
Payphone
A payphone is available within the unit for patients and relatives.
Hospedia|
Television, internet and a phone line are available for patients. If you wish to use this service, speak to the operator using the handset provided. Please ask ward staff for information about the costs for parts of this service.
Uniforms
Royal blue tunic and trousers are worn by all qualified staff nurses. The sisters / charge nurses wear navy blue with white piping. Light blue uniforms are worn by Health Care Assistants.
Food
Meals are provided for patients. There are restaurants and other facilities for friends and relatives
Flowers
Unfortunately, we have to ask that people do not bring flowers into the unit: this is due both to limited space and to a possible risk of infection.
Religious needs
If you would like a member of the Chaplaincy team to visit you, please tell your nurse. Your own priest or minister is also welcome to visit you. Your cultural and religious beliefs will always be respected whilst you are in hospital.
Valuables
Please give any valuables to your family to take home, or to the nurse who is looking after you; the Trust is not responsible for any items lost or stolen if they have not been handed in for safekeeping.
Medication
Please give any medication that you have brought with you into hospital to your nurse. It will be returned to you when you leave. It will be dispensed in a re-usable green plastic bag.
Tablets to take out (TTOs)
These can take up to four hours to dispense, so before arranging transport home, check with your nurse when they are likely to be ready.
Going home