INDEX

Welcome to Main Outpatients Department

The Multidisciplinary Team

Main Outpatients POLO

Map

The Patients Journey

Nursing Philosophy

Outpatients Department Objectives for Student Nurses

Student Induction

11

Health Promotion

12

Clinical Skills

13

Management of Care

14

Communication Skills

15

Organisational and Management Skills,

Resource and Risk Management

16

Learning Zones

17

Learning Zones (cont)

WELCOME TO MAIN OUTPATIENTS DEPARTMENT

We hope you enjoy your stay with us. On arrival, you will be greeted by a
member of staff and will be shown around the department. You will be allocated
a locker in the main changing room within the hospital (10 deposit required).
You will be introduced to your mentor who will support you during your
placement. It may not always be possible to work with your mentor, but this will
give you the opportunity to experience other specialities

MEET THE TEAM

The Outpatient team consists of management, nursing and phlebotomy.
Head of Department

Mrs K Jacques

Dect 48174

Matron

Gordon Elder

Dect 48766

Sister

Debbie Harris

Dect 21871

OPD Services Manager Debbie Banks

Dect 21870

Office Manager

Ext 20594

Christine Rutherford

THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM

Sonographer

Radiographers

Ambulance
Staff

Radiologists
Dietician
Nurse
Practitioner

MULTIDISCIPLINARY
TEAM LINKED TO
MAIN OUTPATIENTS
DEPARTMENT

Appliance Staff
Lab
Staff
Psychologist

Nurse
Consultant
Specialist
Nurses
OT/
Physiotherapist
Social
Worker

MAIN OUTPATIENTS POLO

Where are we? (See map also)
Level 1

Royal Victoria Infirmary

New Victoria Wing
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP
Telephone: Sister Debbie Harris
0191 2825620 (Office)
0191 2821871 (Dect)

Our department consists of reception areas, waiting areas, consultation and

examination rooms, treatment rooms and a phlebotomy room.
Your working week
Monday Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm
You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of specialities:
Gynaecology
Surgical
Gastroenterology
Endocrinology
Haematology

Medical
Breast clinic
Cardiology
Neurology/Neuro-surgical
Pain Management

THE PATIENTS JOURNEY

Patients will be seen by appointment only. Referrals are via the GP or
another Consultant. Return patients are either ward discharged or
requested by the Doctor at previous visits.
Patient arrives and books in at the reception desk in area designated to their
clinic.
Patient is directed to the waiting area.
Patients height, weight, BMI, urine and smoking status are documented as
indicated. Notes taken to correct clinic.
Plasma screens showing clinic information are situated in each waiting area.
These are kept up-dated with named nurses and any outstanding waiting times.
Clinic nurse checks notes, looking for e.g. referral letters, results and
investigations. If missing, appropriate action is taken.
We endeavour to keep to appointment times with exception of poorly patients
and those travelling via hospital transport.
Patients are called into consultation room.
The consultation proceeds and if an examination/procedure is necessary the
nurse will chaperone/assist. Explanation of examination/procedure carried out
and verbal/written consent obtained.
Allow patient time for recovery and dressing.
Information leaflets given if applicable.
The patients understanding of clinic events is checked by a nurse.
The patients agreement and understanding of the treatment plan, as outlined
by the doctor, is checked.
As the patient leaves the clinic, the nurse directs them to other departments as
appropriate.
The patient is instructed to make a return appointment if required and the nurse
checks that they are fully aware of what they should do next.
If patient has travelled by hospital transport, ensure that arrangements are
made for transport home.
Any nursing comment is documented in the case notes.

NURSING PHILOSOPHY
Our aim as nurses in Main Outpatients is to promote optimum health and ensure
patients receive the best treatment and attention for their individual needs.
To help keep patients in the community either self-caring or with the help of other
agencies.
The two main categories of patients attending the department are:
New referrals
Patients attending for review
Objectives
Continually assess all patients needs throughout their time in the
department
To be nursed in a safe and suitable environment
To respect patients privacy and dignity
To explain procedures and if necessary clarify information given to patients
and relatives by medical staff
Safeguard confidential information
Be supportive to patients and their relatives
To keep clinics running as near to appointment time as possible and keep
patients informed of any delays
Arrange suitable transport if necessary
WE AIM TO PROJECT A FRIENDLY, CARING AND EFFICIENT
ATMOSPHERE AND TO MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF NURSING
CARE TO ALL PATIENTS ATTENDING THE DEPARTMENT

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENT NURSES

Orientation to Departments
Become familiar with the Department
Be aware of clinic timetables and where different clinics are held
Be aware of Emergency equipment and its location within the department
e.g. crash trolley, defibrillator, fire equipment and fire exits
Understand where other departments are in relation to Outpatients, e.g.
Pharmacy, X-Ray, Cardiology, Medical Physics, other wards and
departments
Understand times of specimen collection and who to ring for urgent
specimen collection

The Departments/Clinics
Be aware of the Quality Care Commissions standards and targets
appropriate to Outpatients
Be aware of the Departments Philosophy of Care
Understand the importance of maintaining the privacy and dignity of
patients
Understand about the Pathway of Care through the department and how it
works. The importance of documentation if the patients visit deviates from
the norm
Learn about the members of staff working within the clinics, their role and
how they can be contacted
Be aware of investigations and treatments carried out on the department
Understand the procedure for specimen collection, labelling and the forms
used
Understand procedure to access pathology/radiology investigation results
Understand about clinic preparation
To have observed patients in all outpatient specialities
Where possible, to have spent time with Nurse Specialists and understand
their role
Be aware of patient transportation by ambulance

Professional Conduct

Understand the importance of confidentiality

Understand the importance of good communication/interpersonal skills
Understand the importance of patient advocacy and autonomy
Understand the importance of gaining patients consent, both verbally and
written
To understand about the responsibility to establish the duty of care to be
given to patients

STUDENT INDUCTION
To be completed within First week of Placement

Orientation to Placement

Signature of Date
Mentor

Introduction to Departmental Colleagues and key people

Start finish times etc
Access to changing, toilet, restaurant and library facilities
Break times, dress code etc
Explanation of Telephone facilities
and lines of communication
What to do if sick
Check wearing ID Badge and accessed IT from Trust Induction
Discuss the importance of confidentiality and IT security
Explanation of patient call and emergency buzzer system
Share emergency contact details for student
( this needs to be destroyed at end of placement)

Policies and Procedures

Signature of Date
Mentor

Be made aware of how to access all policies and procedures

Local, Professional and Organisational.
Be aware of how to report accidents / incidents
Care of personal property and Patient property
Be aware of how to contact security and report security
incidents

Fire

Signature of Date
Mentor

Ensure have completed annual online update.

Date completed:
Identify location and how to use
extinguishers and alarms on placement
Describe action to be taken on hearing fire alarm.
Meeting point / evacuation process etc

Emergency / Cardiac Arrest Procedure

Identify the location of resuscitation equipment
Describe method of summoning relevant arrest team
9

Signature of Date
Mentor

Health and Safety

Signature of Date
Mentor

Disposal of waste Student can identify correct procedure

for disposal of:
Clinical waste
Non Clinical waste
Infectious waste
Body Fluids
Sharps
Confidential waste

Moving and Handling

Signature of Date
Mentor

Student should be made aware of equipment used and its

decontamination:
Electronic Couches
Patient hoist and slings
Commode
Wheelchair scales

Food Hygiene

Signature of Date
Mentor

Student should be able to demonstrate knowledge in the safe

handling and storage of food and refrigerator care.

Infection Control

Signature of Date
Mentor

Students should be aware of how to access infection control

policies
Hand Hygiene technique Gel, Soap and water
5 Moments of Care
Saving Lives documentation
Bed Cleaning Procedure
Commode Cleaning Procedure
How to use bed pan disposal unit

Placement specific

Signature of Date
Mentor

10

KEY ELEMENTS: HEALTH PROMOTION

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RESOURCES

Health Education and Promotion

Mentor, nursing/medical staff

Models of Health

Health promotion leaflets

Sexual Health

Mentor, nursing/medical staff

Gynaecology specialist nurses

Stop Smoking Brief Advice

Mentor, nursing/medical staff

Stop smoking advisors

Diet and Nutrition

Obesity

Mentor, nursing/medical staff

Dieticians

Exercise

Cardiac specialist nurse

Alcohol

Alcohol Liaison Team

11

KEY ELEMENTS: CLINICAL SKILLS

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RESOURCES

Blood Pressure
Pulse
Temperature
Respirations
Oxygen Saturation Levels

Mentor, nursing/medical staff

and/or other appropriate staff as
indicated below

MEWS
Height
Weight
BMI
Urinalysis
Peak Flow
Falls Risk Assessment Tool
Glucose Monitoring

Diabetic link nurse

MUST Nutritional Score

Dietician

Aseptic Technique/ANNT

Tissue viability nurse

Moving and Handling

Moving and Handling Team

12

KEY ELEMENTS: MANAGEMENT OF CARE

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RESOURCES

THE NURSING PROCESS:

Continual ASSESSMENT of
patients needs:

Patient, relatives, carers

Nursing/medical staff
Medical notes

Observation, collection of
information, relevance of
information, use of Trust
documentation
Outpatient department staff
PLANNING CARE:
Internal mail
Patients journey, organisation of
care (follow-up appointments,
appointments for investigations,
hospital transport, co-ordinating
follow-up appointments with
investigations, patient transfers to
ward)

Ambulance service
Clerical staff/other departments
Ward staff
Patient services manager

EVALUATE CARE
MDT
Religious and Cultural needs

13

KEY ELEMENTS: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RESOURCES

VERBAL COMMUNICATION:
Telephone- making internal and
external calls
Use of DECT phone system
Communicating with patients, their
relatives and to all members of the
MDT
Big Word telephone and Face to
Face interpreters
Loop System

NHS phone direct

Switchboard
MDT
Porters
Ambulance staff
PALS

NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
White board
Patient Notes
Modulex
COMPUTER SKILLS

Boards in waiting area

Medical Notes

Understanding Confidentiality
All Outpatient Staff
Access to patient information
I.T. helpline
Access to patient results
Intranet
Access to Trust Policies
Access to training

14

KEY ELEMENTS: ORGANISATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Role of Department Sister

Sister

Off Duty- Skill Mix

Delegation

Mentor
Other nursing Staff on department

Prioritising work load

Time management
Standards of Care
Quality issues
Implementing Change
Staff development/ Appraisal
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Stock Control
Budget Control
Pharmacy

Sister
Mentor
Other nursing staff on department

RISK MANAGEMENT
Policies and Procedures
Intranet
Equipment safety checks
Electronics
Moving and handling
Link Nurses
Infection Control
Health and safety

15

Whilst the majority of your placement will be within the department, there may be the
opportunity to visit other areas linked to specialities as follows:-

CARDIOLOGY

ENDOCRINE

ECG
ECHO
Exercise Test
Perfusion Scan
Rapid Access Clinic

PIU visit
Specialist Nurse

BREAST

GYNAECOLOGY

Assessment/Screening
Breast Care Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Cytology
MDM
Radiotherapy (NCCC)
Plastics/Reconstructive Surgery

Womens Health Services

TOP Clinic
Cystometry Clinic
Colposcopy
PMB/Pelvic Mass Clinic
Specialist Nurse
Nurse Consultant
Hysteroscopy Services
Centre for Life

NEUROLOGY

UPPER GI

EEG
EMG
Muscle Biopsy
Lumbar Puncture
Specialist Nurses- MS
Parkinsons
MND
Epilepsy
Mitochondrial
Neuro oncology
Head Injury

Endoscopy
Specialist Nurse
Manometry
Peg Nurse/ Dietician
Pre-Assessment
MDM
Barium Swallow

16

COLORECTAL

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Endoscopy/Biddlestone Road
Specialist Nurse
Biofeedback
Pre -Assessment
MDM
Barium Enema

Specialist Nurse

HAEMATOLOGY
Specialist Nurse

17