Staff you will meet in the Hospital
All hospital staff must wear an identification badge that includes a photograph, however, the uniforms staff wear vary according to job role. A guide to hospital uniforms to assist you to identify the different staff you will see is provided in the hospital bedside folder. This should be available to you at your bedside following your admission. If you do not have one please request one from a member of staff.
Doctors
A Consultant, who is the most senior doctor, will be responsible for your medical care while you are in hospital. They will lead a team of doctors in managing your care and treatment.
Nurses
Your ward will be run by a Ward Manager (Sister), who is a senior nurse, and her deputy. You will also be given a 'named' nurse (Staff Nurse), who will have specific responsibility for your care. If you have any questions or worries about your care during your stay please speak to these staff in the first instance. They, or indeed any other member of nursing staff, will be more than happy to help you.
There will be other Registered nurses (staff nurses) working on the ward together with Health Care Assistants.
You may also meet other nursing staff who specialise in dealing with your specific condition and who again will be happy to answer your questions.
Matrons
The Matrons are a dedicated, hospital-wide group of senior nursing professionals. They are committed to making a difference for patients, visitors and staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Actively working with staff, patients and their carers, the Matrons will continue to improve the quality of each patient's experience in hospital.
Together with clinical staff and the PALS Manager, our Matrons aim to ensure that appropriate information is available to patients and carers. The Matrons also work closely with the Ward Managers within their individual areas of responsibility. If you require any information or want to discuss any aspect of your own or your relative's care, please speak to your nurse or the Ward Manager in the first instance. However, if you require further support, please contact the Matrons. If one of the Matrons is not immediately available on the ward, please leave a message with the senior nurse on duty and a Matron will contact you as soon as possible.
Other staff Physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, dietitians, occupational therapists, clinical support workers, phlebotomists (who take blood samples), social workers, ward housekeepers, porters and domestic staff, together with hospital volunteers all visit and work on the wards.
Students/learners
The Countess of Chester Hospital supports the practice education of students who are undertaking medical and health care professions' education and training programmes. Students get practical experience by contributing to the care of our patients, under the supervision of our staff. All students should wear an identification badge that identifies that they are a learner and they should also introduce themselves to you as a learner. Students uniforms vary according to their training programme.
Please tell your doctor or health care professional if you do not want students to be involved in your care. Students will request your consent prior to them contributing to your care and they will respect your decision if you choose to refuse and have your care provided by a member of hospital staff instead. Your treatment will not be affected by your decision.