Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is a regional centre for patients with complex intestinal failure. We receive referrals from the whole of the Yorkshire and Humber region and work closely with Hull Royal Infirmary, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and their neighbouring hospital Trusts.
We also manage over 200 patients who receive their parenteral nutrition/support at home. These patients are referred to as Home Parenteral Support (HPS) patients and receive regular review in a dedicated outpatient clinic, based in Lincoln Wing within St. James’s University Hospital.
Parenteral Support is often referred to as artificial nutrition. It is a way of giving your body some or all of its nutrition/fluid requirements directly into a vein. It is a complex medical treatment that is only indicated if patients are unable to support their nutrition through other means.
Waiting lists
Due to the specialised nature of the unit, there is a referral process and this may include a wait to access the Leeds services. This is reviewed weekly and priority is based on clinical need. If you require a side room, it is likely that your transfer to Leeds will take longer than if you are able to be nursed in a bay.
Whilst waiting for a bed, the team is always on hand to give advice and support to your base hospital.
Your stay
In order for the specialist team to treat you, it is likely that you will be with us for a few weeks. Even if you are transferred to us purely to start Home Parenteral Support, it will take some time to establish a safe feed for you, refer you to a Homecare company (who will provide the feed/fluids at home) and either complete training (for you or a nominated person) to manage your intravenous line or ensure this is set up in the community.
What to expect
When you first arrive, there may be investigations and further tests arranged for you. Although we communicate closely with the referring provider, the specialist nature of the unit may require tests to be repeated. Sometimes this will result in a change in the planned care outlined before you come to us.
As your health improves you will be encouraged to be more active and even take day leave. This should always be done with agreement from the clinical staff and may be limited at times to reduce any risks and ensure care is taken about infection prevention.
In some instances, it will be possible to stop parenteral support, even though you have been on this in your referring hospital.
In other circumstances patients need surgery to treat their intestinal failure, but it is important that this is done at the optimal time, which may not occur during your first admission.
Frequently patients will require a period of rehabilitation at home (with home parenteral support) prior to further surgery.
Our facilities
We appreciate that you may be far from home and the team will endeavour to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
There is a chaplain service and spiritual room for religious needs. Also food outlets, pharmacy, newsagents and cash points.
Our dedicated staff are on hand to help when required, including the housekeeper to enable your day to day needs are met.
Clinical staff
The intestinal rehabilitation team is made up of a number of specialist health care professionals who will work with the ward team looking after you. The intestinal rehabilitation team is led by experienced consultant gastroenterologists and consultant surgeons and you will be regularly reviewed by dietitians, pharmacists and clinical nurse specialists from the team during your stay.
During the week there is a ‘Grand Round’ that usually occurs on a weekly basis and you will be reviewed by the medical team daily. You will come into contact with a number of different health care professionals, including specially trained nurses, pharmacists and dietitians, occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists and other members of the team as you need them.
We meet regularly to ensure we deliver holistic multi-disciplinary team (MDT) high quality care.
Infection control/handwashing
Visitors are asked to wash their hands on entering and leaving the ward and to refrain from sitting on beds. Also, please don’t bring any personal bedding or pillows with you as these will be supplied as per Infection Control policies.
Property
As the Trust is not responsible for personal property it is advisable not to bring valuables with you. A small cabinet is provided for limited clothes and personal belongings. Your own clothes are encouraged.
Car parking
Inpatient concessionary parking
This is available to parents/relatives who meet the criteria listed below:
- Relative of intensive care inpatient
- Relative of terminally ill inpatient
- Relative support stroke rehabilitation
- Relative of inpatient exceeding 7 days
- Relative of end of life care
Ward area needs to complete online form for permit
