Neuro Short Stay Unit (NSSU)

Placement Overview

Placement Title Neuro Short Stay Unit
Trust Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Your Placement Contact Hannah Lawless – Send Email
Placement Contact’s Role Hannah Lewis –

Ward Manager/Practice Education Liaison

Placement Address Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD
Placement City/Town: Salford
Placement Phone 0161 206 4600
Your University Contact: Nigel Cox – Send Email

About this placement

What is organised for students on commencement of placement?

All students will be assigned their Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor prior to placement commencement. Welcome pack will be emailed over, and physical copy will be provided on first day.

On your first week on the ward, we have all students/new starters/newly qualified staff begin their journey with our care support workers to be able to gain the basics of the ward and how we work as a team on the ward.

During your time with us you will be able to experience a wide range of elective spinal surgeries and how we care for post-operative spinal patients and procedures that must be followed. You will also be exposed to complex spinal patients and be able to witness these patients’ rehabilitation journey.

Students will have many opportunities to work with the multi-disciplinary team on the ward including, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, spinal cord injury team, specialist spinal nurse and many more.

Students will also be able to have the opportunities to attend further training sessions and have time to create reflective accounts on experiences witnessed on the ward or any spoke placements that you may have attended.

What are the arrangements for mentors/assessors?

All students will be allocated Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor prior to commencement of your placement.

You will work closely with both your supervisor and assessor and will be given the opportunity to work with others also.

What shift patterns are students allocated for learning?

Early: 07:00 – 13:30
Late: 13:00 – 19:30
Long Day: 07:00 – 19:30
Night: 19:00 – 07:30

Notes: You will receive a 30-minute break within every 6 hours worked.
Please discuss any issues with the PEL Hannah Lawless regarding hours.

What patient care situations are available in this placement?

There are many patient care situations that you will be exposed to. For example:

-Elective Surgery
-Complex Spines
-Trauma
-Palliative Care
-End of Life Care
-Orthopaedic
-Neurosurgical
-Mental Health
-Complex Wound Care

What nursing model is used for planning care?

The adaption of Roper-Logan & Tierney’s Model for activities of daily living is used on Ward B5.

This model is used to assess the patient’s relative independence and potential for independence in the activities of daily living. The patient’s independence is looked at on a continuum. This helps us determine what interventions will lead to increased independence as well as what ongoing support is needed.

The activities of daily living that are assessed are: Maintaining a Safe Environment/Privacy & Dignity, Washing & Dressing, Oral Hygiene, Pain Management, Mobilisation, Skin Concerns/Condition, Eating & Drinking, Elimination.

What core clinical skills can be learnt?

Many core skills can be gained with us. Main competencies to be gained are:

  • – Hand Washing/Infection Control
  • – Safe Moving & Handling
  • – Bed Making/Bed Bathing
  • – Oral Hygiene
  • – Eye Care
  • – ANTT/Wound Care
  • – Observations
  • – Medication Management
  • – Injection Technique
  • – Eating & Drinking
  • – Elimination

and many more.

What additional clinical skills can be learnt?

Additional clinical skills that may not be gained in other areas can be:

  • – Neurological Observations/GCS
  • – Complex Spinal Procedures
  • – Bowel & Bladder Care/Bowel Regimes
  • – Complex Discharge Planning
  • – Complex Wound Care/Wound Infections

and many more.

What resources are available to help students learning?

We currently do not have a student board on the ward due to being a small ward but all learning materials and access to learning opportunities can be reviewed in the student folder.

Resources available:

  • – Welcome Pack
  • – Spoke placements
  • – Student Files
  • – Study Days

What research and practice development activities are being undertaken?

There is currently an extension within our Complex Spinal team. A new team has been created to aid in the rehabilitation of our Complex Spinal patients.

Spoke Placements

There are many spoke placements available whilst with us. For further information on spokes please speak to PEL Hannah Lawless or supervisor and we will be able to aid in your organising these spokes.

Additional Information

We have an open door policy on the ward and would like to ensure that all students feel comfortable approaching the PEL when required. No issue is too big or small!

We hope you enjoy your placement with us and please ensure to email or ring the ward prior to placement commencement.

Please contact our PEF with any further concerns:

Practice Education Facilitator: Mike Hollinshead

Email: mike.hollinshead@nca.nhs,uk