Crewe Road entrance to the Edinburgh Cancer Centre at the Western General Hospital

Ward 4 (Oncology) - Western General Hospital

Patients with lung, colorectal or brain tumours are normally admitted to this ward. However, due to patient flow, we often have all cancer types being admitted to the ward.  Patients can be admitted for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, investigations or treatment related toxicities.

Ward 4 is a twenty two-bedded ward separated into male and female rooms. To divide our nursing workload and give continuity of care, the ward is normally divided into three teams. Most week days, we have five registered nurses (staff nurses) and one unregistered nurse (clinical support worker) on duty, with the Charge Nurse coordinating the ward. In the charge nurses absence there is always a registered nurse who is identified as being in charge. During the nightshift, we usually have two registered nurses and one unregistered nurse on duty.

Our vision

We are a team of professional and compassionate nurses. We always  respect each other and never forget about dignity. Our vision is to strive toward the delivery of  excellent care which is evidenced based and patient focused. Our standards of care will reflect how we would expect our family and friends to be cared for.

Visiting

Visiting times are from 2-4.30pm and 6.30-8pm everyday. Please try to keep to these times. This is to allow all patients to have care delivered whilst maintaining dignity and respect. In addition to this, it allows for protected mealtimes, meaning that patients meals are uninterrupted thus helping to prevent reduced nourishment for patients whilst in hospital.  

There are situations , when visiting out with these times may be required. Please talk to the nurse in charge if this is applicable.

The  number of visitors is  restricted to 2 per patient, not only for patient comfort but out of consideration for other patients sharing a room.

Phone calls

We are happy to give general information over the phone to identified family members or friends. However we would appreciate it if families could appoint someone to do the majority of the phoning and co-ordinate communication on behalf of other family members.

Medication

Please bring all your medicines into hospital with you. These will be used while you are in the ward and your supply topped up, or any new drugs dispensed to you when you go home.

Personal belongings

Due to limited space on the ward and in lockers, please ensure that excess belongings are taken home. In addition, please ensure that no valuables are left with patients. If this is not possible, there is a small safe keeping area in the ward which can be used on a short-term basis only.

Laundry

With regret the laundry services cannot cope with the additional pressures of patient laundry. There are no facilities on the ward to ensure the effective washing of soiled linen. If possible please arrange for linen to be taken home to be washed.

Day room

A television room and lounge is located at the entrance to ward 3. This area is shared between ward 3 and ward 4 and their family members.

Smoking policy

The hospital operates a non-smoking policy within hospital buildings. The balconies in the oncology department are also out of bounds for smoking. Although we understand that this policy is difficult for some, please note that staff are unable to leave the ward in order to take patients outside.

Library service

A trolley library service visits the ward on a regular basis. Please let us know if you would like to see the selection of books or tapes available.

WRVS shop

There is a volunteer shop located on the ground floor of the oncology department. Opening times are:

Monday - Friday

8:30 - 4:30


6:30 - 8:30

Saturday - Sunday

1 :30 - 4:30

There is also a coffee area in the oncology outpatient department, open from 9 - 4 pm on Mondays to Fridays.

Newspapers can be bought from the volunteer shop and a paper round is made to each ward every Sunday before lunchtime.

Please do not hesitate to approach a member of staff if you have a concern. We will be more than willing to help.