BHOC Acute Care
To contact BHOC Acute Care for advice - 24
hours a day 7 days a week, please
phone 0117 342 2011.
1. What is the "BHOC Acute Care"
unit?
It is an assessment unit for patients who are unwell
on anti-cancer treatment. This service has a team, including a
Nurse Practitioner, a senior doctor and qualified staff nurse.
2. How big is it?
The department is a mixed sex assessment area for 4
patients, therefore there may be male and female patients being
assessed. However there are separate toilet facilities for men and
women.
3. What should I
expect?
You will be assessed in order, depending on how serious
your condition is, either by the Nurse Practitioner or
doctor. A decision will be made within 4 hours of your arrival to
decide whether you need to stay to be admitted into hospital for
treatment or if you can go home.
What will happen?
You are likely to:
- be asked about your treatment you have had so far for
cancer
- be asked about your current symptoms
- have your blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate and
temperature taken.
What might happen?
You may:
- have a blood sample or x-ray taken
- have a cannula inserted into the back of your hand / your
arm so that we could give medications or fluids into your
vein if needed.
These are common investigations and should not cause you
concern.
If it is decided that you need to be admitted to the
hospital then the BHOC Acute Care Team will try and admit you to an
appropriate ward within the Oncology centre.
4. How long will it
take?
Your priority to see the specialist practitioner
will be based on your initial assessment and not necessarily the
time you arrived.
We aim to complete your stay in this unit within four
hours, and provide a clean safe environment with high standards of
care.
5. Can my relative(s) stay with
me?
It is anticipated that patients will arrive at BHOC Acute
Care with a relative/friend. There is a day room close by
where your accompanying relative may be asked to wait whilst you
are being assessed.