Samares Unit
Samares Unit is situated within the Westmount Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit (WARC). Samares unit is a purpose built rehabilitation unit which provides an inpatient rehabilitation service for all adult client groups with Jersey who do not come under Mental Health Services. Referrals are accepted from the Consultant Physician (Neurology) and the Consultant Physician (Geriatric Medicine) and include admission from a range of conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, progressive neurological conditions and orthopaedic conditions.
The Unit has a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team based on the ward. This includes nursing staff, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Rehabilitation Assistants. There is also regular input from Doctors, Clinical Psychology, Dietetics, Ophthalmology and Specialist Nurses. There is a strong ethos of multi-disciplinary working within the Unit.
The Unit provides assessment and rehabilitation. Within two weeks of admission to the Unit, a meeting is arranged between the patient, family members and members of the team involved in his or her care. Rehabilitation goals are set jointly at this meeting. There is a strong ethos of partnership working with patients having ownership of their own rehabilitation. The overall aim is to assist the patient to achieve their optimum physical, mental and social capacity. Where possible, the team assists the patient and their family to identify suitable alternatives.
Access
To reach Samares there are large automatic doors at the entrance to WARC. There are two lifts for easy access or alternatively a flight of stairs with hand rails.
Geography
The unit consists of one main corridor with two corridors branching off forming an L shape.
At the end of each branch are small day rooms. These have been designed to make the most of the views to the East over St Helier and the West over Overdale grounds. Patients are encouraged to eat breakfast together when able in the day rooms and they can also be used to socialise, have visitors and private meetings.
Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in these day rooms for patients and visitors to use.
Throughout the unit are other small seating areas which patients are encouraged to use instead of being “confined” to their room.
Rooms
All the rooms are single rooms.
Three rooms have en suite facilities for patients who may have a specific clinical need for this. These rooms also have built in hoists to assist the handling of patients. All other rooms have easily accessible toilets and bathing facilities.
The bathrooms are equipped with modern baths and showers designed to ensure the safety and comfort of patients as well as to encourage their rehabilitation. There are also wash basins, mirrors and shaving points in each room.
In each room there is a call bell system which alerts staff via a telephone system when activated. All nursing staff carry special mobile phones connected to this system. The call bells can be removed from the room if a patient wishes to do so.
There are also telephones, each with their own specific number, in each room where private external and internal calls can be made at the discretion of the staff.
A television with either DVD or video player is situated in each room.
In some rooms there are small balconies. Depending on patients safety when walking these balconies can be used to sit out on (weather dependent!) or walk along. Some balconies lead to the landscaped gardens where there are slopes or stairs as well as seating areas with great views over St Helier and St Aubin’s Bay.
Smoking
There is strictly NO SMOKING in ANY of the rooms or balconies. All rooms are equipped with smoke alarms connected directly to the Fire Station.
There is one Smoking Room for patient use only. Please ask a member of staff for the location of the smoking room.
Other areas
There is a spacious Dining Room which can accommodate all patients. Everyone is
encouraged, when able, to have lunch in the dining room.
The dining room can also be used for meetings and gatherings.
There are two gym areas in the unit. These are used by all disciplines for patient’s rehabilitation. There is all the necessary apparatus required including plinths, exercise equipment and ceiling track hoists.
There is a smaller gym area which is used mainly for patients who need work on improving their hand function.
There is a kitchen area where people can gain confidence in meal preparation and other domestic tasks.
Activities
Group Seated exercises are carried out throughout the week which everyone is welcome to attend. It is not compulsory to join in, but it is beneficial to your general well being and progress to partake in as many different types of activity as possible. Various types of activity are also carried out in the gyms, in the dining rooms, day rooms or in the rehabilitation flat.
You will be notified of the times of these sessions.
Rehabilitation flat
Attached to the Unit is a self contained flat which has an alarm system linked to the ward. It may be useful for patients to spend a short while in the flat to practice living with less support than in the main unit.
This would be like a “stepping stone” between hospital and home. It would not be appropriate for everyone but may be suggested by the team for certain patients. At other times various group activity sessions take place in the flat, for example a baking group.
Ward Clerk
The ward clerk is the person who deals with all the clerical duties that arise on the ward. Her desk is situated just outside the ward in the upstairs foyer.
Newspapers
Daily Newspaper can be ordered by contacting the Ward Clerk and paid for on collection.
Religion
You will be asked your faith on admission to the ward. You will also be asked whether you would like a minister to visit you. There are several ministers who visit on request.
Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol by patients is at the direction of the Ward Manager only.
Visiting
Visiting hours are from 2pm - 8pm. Specific family members may be invited to attend various therapy sessions at different times to observe and participate.
Pets
Family pets may be brought in by prior arrangement with the ward staff.
Chiropodist
Appointments with the Chiropodist can be made by contacting the nurses.
Hairdresser
A hairdresser visits the ward on Wednesday afternoons. Appointments may be made by informing the ward staff. Payment is made direct to the hairdresser.
Helping one another
In Samares Unit we have a philosophy of helping one another. If you want to help someone always speak to a nurse first who will advise you how best this can be achieved. It is important that you are not putting yourself at risk and that your help is not inhibiting another person’s progress.
Home Visits
This is when you go home for a short period, usually with two members of the Therapy staff. This ensures any particular difficulties posed by home circumstances can be sorted out prior to discharge. After an initial Home Visit, progressively longer periods of time at home can be tried. This way, you and your family can prepare for resuming life at home as appropriate.
Laundry
Clothes that need to be washed can be sent to the hospital laundry. This does initially
take quite some time so bring in a fair amount of clothes to change with. We would encourage laundry to be done at home whenever possible. Alternatively, clothes can be taken home to be washed by relatives or friends. Please arrange for clothes to have name tapes before bringing them into the unit.
Lunches
On Samares we can arrange for relatives or friends to join patients for lunch. Patients may also go out for lunch by prior arrangement.
Transport
Transport will be provided for all hospital appointments. If other people wish to attend an appointment please inform the staff.
There is also a wheelchair accessible car which can be booked via the porters. Please inform a member of staff if you wish to go out or take someone else out.
