The Cardiology Unit consists of two wards with a total of 40 beds, incorporating a six- bed chest pain assessment unit and an eight-bed Coronary Care Unit. The department addresses investigative, acute and rehabilitation phases of cardiac disease.

We have 4 Consultant Cardiologists. They are supported by Registrars, Staff Grades, Senior House Officers and House Officers.

The Senior Sisters are Fran Wilson (Cardiology 2) and Ros Greenhalgh (Cardiology 1). There are several other Junior Sisters, Staff Nurses, Health Care Assistants and Ward Clerks. The nurses rotate throughout the unit to ensure clinical skills are maintained.

Although both the cardiology wards can be very busy, the atmosphere is friendly. Our aim is to deliver a high standard of care in a safe enviroment for patients and staff where dignity and confidentiality will be maintained.

Both wards are located next to the Cardiac Investigations Department on the first floor above the Emergency Department.

What to Expect When You are Admitted to Our Ward

The majority of our patients are admitted as emergencies. Most will have been through the emergency department where a diagnosis relating to your heart will have provisionally been made.

On arrival to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) or Chest Pain Assessment Unit you will be attached to a cardiac monitor. A nurse will check your details, take a heart reading (ECG) and ensure you are comfortable.

You will be seen by the admitting consultant on a ward round the morning after you are admitted. Then your care is usually taken over by the cardiology team.

If you are admitted to CCU you will remain attached to the heart monitor for approximately 24 - 48 hours, you will then be moved to the 'step down' beds on either Cardiology 1 or 2.

There may be other bed moves, within the unit, during your stay, as this allows us to provide care and treatment for emergency patients and critically ill at all times.

Due to the nature of your illness we are dependant on facilities at both Cheltenham General and the John Radcliffe at Oxford for further investigations / procedures - namely angiography, stenting (known as PCI or PTCA) and heart surgery. As a result you may have to wait a minimum of up to 3 weeks until you are transferred. We are unable to speed up the investigations and apologise in advance for your prolonged stay in hospital as a result.

The nurse responsible for your care will introduce themselves at the beginning of each shift.

How to Contact the Ward

You and your family will be informed of the best time to telephone for news following your surgery.

Telephone numbers: -

Cardiology 1 08454 22 8283

Cardiology 2 08454 22 8284

CCU 08454 22 8433

CPAU 08454 22 8288

Or Telephone Switchboard on 08454 22 2222 and ask for the Ward.

We ask that only one member of your family telephone to obtain a condition update. This family member can then be the point of contact for the rest of the family.

Patient bedside telephones are available for your use; these use phone cards at a cost of £3.00 per card. Phone cards may be purchased from designated machines as you enter the ward.