Older Persons Assessment Unit (OPAU) |
D1
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About the Ward
OPAU represents a dynamic model of care for older people. Its primary aim is to facilitate rapid clinical assessment, investigation and interventions to support early discharge, reducing patients' time spent in hospital.
Ideally, patients would ideally expect a short stay on OPAU (24-72 hours), where they would also receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy or social services input during that time, either to assess and facilitate their discharge from hospital, or to put strategies into place to try and avoid unnecessary admissions in the future.
The ward aims to use the "discharge to assess" model, whereby a patient is discharged as soon as they are medically fit, and their support needs are assessed on arrival at home by members of the community intermediate care and social care teams. This enables them to access the right level of home care and support in real-time. There is also increased use of third sector support, such as Age UK, in order to facilitate discharge.
OPAU has a daily consultant ward round, and a daily multidisciplinary meeting to review all patients on the ward and highlight what is necessary in order to progress their care and facilitate discharge from an acute hospital.
If the patient's stay is likely to be longer than 72 hours, for medical or other reasons, then their care is transferred to one of the general OPU wards as quickly as possible in order to maintain patient flow. The ward also runs a virtual clinic for any outstanding investigations, thereby also improving patient flow, and reducing unnecessary stays whilst waiting for results.
Ward Location
OPAU is located in RUH Zone D on the ground floor. It is also called ward D1.
OPAU Ward phone numbers are : 01225 826958 or 01225 826218.
Visiting
Visiting is from 11am–8pm.
Personal Belongings
To help keep you comfortable during your stay, we encourage your relatives to check that you have sufficient clothing, slippers, toiletries and towels, etc.
Patients are encouraged not to bring valuables into hospital.
Please note there are no clothes washing facilities on the ward.
The Ward Team
There are 4 consultants who provide input to the OPAU unit:
Consultant Geriatricians
Dr Sara Evans
Secretary: 01225 821028
Dr Alastair Kerr
Secretary: 01225 821267
Dr Genevieve Robson
Secretary: 01225 821008
Dr Abigail Wijnberg
Secretary:01225 821267
The Multi-disciplinary Team
The medical team includes a team of doctors and specialist nurses (Medical Nurse Practitioners). The Senior Sister Rhian Trivett is in charge of the overall running of the ward and nursing care. She has a dedicated team of junior sisters, nurses, healthcare assistants, domestic staff and ward clerks. A dedicated discharge coordinator assists the discharge process.A team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, mental health liaison officers and social workers also have input into patient care.
Further information
OPAU - Patient Information Leaflet
Call4Concern for current inpatients – Martha's Rule
You may have heard recently about NHS plans to test and roll out Martha's Rule to further improve patient safety. This will provide a consistent and understandable way for patients and families to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one's condition deteriorates while they are in hospital and they are concerned this is not being responded to.
As part of this pilot, the RUH offers a Call4Concern service for inpatients and their families. You, or your relative, can call for urgent help and advice if you/they are a current inpatient and have concerns about their condition.
Call4Concern is a patient safety service for current inpatients at the RUH. If you, or your family have recently been discharged please discuss your concerns directly with the ward team. It should not be used to report general problems such as issues with beds, room, food or parking - please speak to a member of staff on your ward.
Contact 07775 821211, any time, any day. If no one is available to answer please leave the patient name, ward and a brief description of your concern.
When should I contact Call for Concern?
- When there is a significant change in your/the patient's condition while they are an inpatient and after discussion with the ward team, your concerns have not been addressed
- You have ongoing medical concerns after you have spoken to the ward nurses or doctors
Who will I talk to?
Call for Concern is delivered by the Critical Care Outreach team, who are a team of specialist nurses. They are available 24 hours a day to help support ward staff in the care of acutely ill patients. They can offer advice over the telephone or come to the ward to review the patient's condition if there is a noticeable change.
Find out more
Call4Concern – Information for patients and relatives