Leaflet Details
| Title | Enhanced Care Unit |
| Department | General Surgery |
| Author(s) | Dr Kuttler |
| Review Date | January 2023 |
| Next Review | January 2024 |
| Download | A5 Booklet PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
Who we are
The Enhanced Care Unit is a new addition to Ashford Hospital and will provide post-operative care for patients who have undergone complex surgery or have additional medical concerns needing support.
It is a special area of 4 mixed bed unit. Patients are booked there for overnight monitoring and observations.
We aim to provide the highest standard of healthcare to patients undergoing elective surgeries, through our dedicated team of specialist nurses and consultant Anesthetists, in collaboration with your surgical team and other Health Professionals.
What you can expect
- The pre-operative team (consultant Anaesthetist and surgical team) will have selected you for your stay in ECU based on the suggested operation and your current medical illnesses.
- Once you are admitted in ECU you will be looked after by one of our specialist nursing team.
- You will be cared for by the team over a minimum of one night, occasionally for 2 nights pending on your recovery.
- You will be reviewed by the ECU consultant, your surgical team and / or surgical doctors nominated to look after you while in ECU.
- It’s quite normal to experience pain and discomfort. We will see to it that your pain is controlled effectively with painkillers. A pain specialist nurse will support the management of your discomfort and advise on your pain medication.
- While we don’t encourage visitors during the stay in ECU, special arrangements can be made, if the number of patients in the unit allows it. This would be a time limited visit and needs to be agreed with the leading nurse.
What happens if I am not well enough?
While cared for in ECU after surgery and you develop a surgical complication or a medical illness, you will be seen by the surgical team and the consultant Anaesthetist responsible for ECU. You will be reviewed and might have some additional investigations.
If your illness or surgical complication requires additional medical teams to help you get better or you might need to have an additional surgical procedure, you will have to be transferred to St Peter’s Hospital by ambulance. If you are very ill and need intensive care treatment, then you will be transferred with an Anaesthetic consultant coming with you.
If you are well enough to go to a - normal ward at St Peter’s Hospital you might be transferred with the ambulance crew. Your relative will be informed by the surgical or ECU team.
More Information
Bring only the essentials that you will need overnight - i.e., wash bag, glasses / contact lenses, medication list, mobile phone with charger and something to read.
As space in ECU is limited, please leave all your large belongings i.e., travel bag on the ward you have been originally admitted to. The nurses will ensure your valuables will be kept safe.
If you have any concerns, please feel free to speak to one of our staff and we’ll be glad to assist you.
Where to find us
We are located on the first floor of Ashford Hospital in Eliot Ward.
Tel: 01784 884305
