Volunteering at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust

Purpose:

The Endoscopy unit is in the Diagnostic Centre and comprises of a reception patient waiting area shared with Cardiology, Lung Function and ECG.  We have four fully equipped endoscopy room and one is fully equipped with radiological facility. A full range of in-patient and day case diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided. It outlines the safe working practices of all members of staff working within endoscopy department. The objective of the policy is for information purposes in order to support the provision of a high quality and safe endoscopy service. The unit is a daycase area.

• We have six admission cubicles (two en-suite rooms to use for enema bowel preparation).
• The unit has 15 patient trolleys divided between male and female recovery. In addition, there is a negative pressure recovery room for patients that are suspected of having Pulmonary TB or any other communicable infection.
• In addition there is a discharge lounge with 9 recliner chairs for patients.
• There are separate toilet facilities for patients when they go through to the Endoscopy unit from reception. There is a disabled access toilet located in the waiting room.

As a volunteer you will support this busy department by ensuring that patients and their family members are welcomed and well kept informed of anything happening on the day effectively. 

On Arrival at the department, the patient will give their details to the receptionist. Patients are kept informed of waiting times.

There are two endoscopy session times each day, when we are seeing patients. They are:

AM- 0830-1230

PM- 1300 -1700

The endoscopy unit admits patients with particular needs especially when they do not have an escort with them. Patient’s property is kept with the patient throughout their journey through the unit. Patients are advised not to bring in any valuables prior to the procedure. If necessary, valuables can be held in General office and collected when the patient is discharged.

Duties (what you will be doing):

• Welcoming patients, friends and relatives into the diagnostic reception area
• Your role will be to chat to our patients who are waiting to have their procedures at the reception area to keep them informed and to allay anxiety which frees up nurses to focus on care
• Taking messages from the visitors  or patients escorts at the reception area and updating the patients
• Providing patients in the endoscopy discharge lounge with tea, coffee and other refreshments as per discharged nurse’s instructions. This is because some patients are not allowed to eat or drink after endoscopic procedure
• Talking with patients who may appreciate the company in the discharged lounge
• Helping patients to complete the main patient feedback survey, the Friends and Family Test
• Helping to take delivery of items and arranging them in the stock room

Boundaries (what you won’t be doing):

• No clinical care of patients
• No patient feeding
• No personal care (e.g. toileting or getting patients changed)
• No cleaning
• No lifting of heavy equipment
• No pushing patient beds

Time commitment:

• Volunteering shifts are available weekdays only, 9.30 to 1 pm, and 2 pm to 5 pm
• You are expected to commit to one shift per week for a period of at least six months

Location:

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Rd, London SW10 9NH

Requirements of the role:

Age: You must be 16 years or older to volunteer in this role

Vaccinations: You will be required to provide evidence of certain immunisations. We will provide you with further information during your application

Accessibility: This role is accessible to people who use wheelchairs or who have other mobility issues

As a volunteer you will embody the Trust’s values:

• Putting patients first
• Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
• Open, welcoming and honest
• Unfailingly kind, treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity
• Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care

Skills and other requirements:

• You must be self-motivated; with an ability to think on your feet and work independently
• You must be punctual and dependable
• You must have a professional and friendly demeanour
• You must be flexible and eager to learn
• You need a thick skin. Some patients might be distressed as might their visitors

Pre-placement checks and training:

• You must have an enhanced criminal record check (DBS) for this role. If you do not have one already then we can organise and pay for one.
• This role requires that you have certain immunisations and you will need to complete a health declaration form – we will discuss this with you when you apply.
• You will receive a core volunteering induction.
• You will also receive a local induction and orientation. This will include any training that is relevant to perform your tasks on the specific ward.

Supervisors:

Ghislaine Thiam & Annick Gneba

Lilian Anya,  Matron

Or any nurse with a red lanyard – the red lanyard is the nurse in charge of any particular shift

Your supervisors are the people you will see day-to-day during your shift. Because shift patterns vary you will see different people depending on your shift. Please report to the nurses’ station when you arrive for your shift and you will be supervised from there.

Champion:

Lilian Anya, Matron Endoscopy – Lilian is your first point of contact for scheduling shifts or reporting any issues. Please inform her if you cannot attend for any reason.

Personal development:

You will gain experience of working in a busy hospital environment and frontline patient care. Your support will make a real difference to our patients and improve our patients experience. You will develop communication and team-working skills. You will be able to see some of our procedures we carried out when the unit is not busy. The procedures are:

• Gastroscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Bronchoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Enteral tube insertions (PEG, PEGJ, NJT, NGT)
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)- OG, HPB, FNA
• Enteroscopy
• Small bowel Capsule Endoscopy
• Self-expandable metallic stent insertion.
• Endoscopic dilatation (balloon and bougie)
• Physiology( PH manometry, 24 hour pH studies)
• Endoscopic Bronchial Ultra-Sound(EBUS)