	Nursing staff uniforms
	The charge nurse and deputy charge nurse wear dark blue uniforms
	The staff nurses wear light blue uniforms
	Senior nursing assistants wear dark green uniforms
	Nursing assistants wear striped light green and white uniforms
	Admin staff and housekeepers wear blue polo shirts with the NHNN logo
	VT and MRI staff wear scrubs
	Consultants and therapists don’t wear uniforms – but they will always introduce themselves to you
	Sometimes we have students on the ward – they may want to talk to you or watch while you have your appointment We will always ask for your consent for this
	Come to the nurse’s office if you need staff during your stay with us
	Arriving at Gowers
	The ward reception desk is at the main entrance
	When you come on to the ward you will meet our receptionist
	Staff will show you around the ward and to your room
	Your room
	There are 3 types of room – you will stay in either 1 a Video Telemetry (VT) ensuite
	2 a single side room
	3 or a carers room – this has 2 beds and a curtain for privacy
	The dining room
	You will eat your meals in the dining room with other patients
	Tell a member of staff if you prefer to eat alone
	If you use special spoons, plates or cups – please bring them to Gowers with you
	Mealtimes in the dining room
	The night before, we will give you a menu and ask what you would like for breakfast in the morning
	At breakfast we will give you another menu so you can choose what you want for lunch and dinner
	There is a fridge in the dining room – if you bring snacks you can keep them in there
	We can’t reheat any home cooked meals
	We provide fruit juice, water, tea and coffee
	Mealtimes
	Breakfast time is from 8am to 9am
	Lunch time is from 12.30pm to 1.30pm
	Dinner time is from 5.30pm to 6.30pm
	The lounge The lounge is for everyone, except VT patients
	Here you can watch TV and relax
	Feel free to bring in your own DVDs, tablets, laptops or games consoles
	We also have a games console, a pool table, boardgames and jigsaws for you to use
	Free Wi-Fi is available
	Other things to do
	There is art therapy 3 times a week within the ward’s grounds If you are a VT patient, our art therapist can bring supplies for you to use in your room
	The Phoenix Café is within the grounds
	It’s open Monday to Friday
	If you are not a VT patient, you can use our garden with views of the surrounding countryside
	Video Telemetry (VT) room
	You may be booked in for a VT assessment – it will tell you this on your appointment letter or we will let you know during your stay
	VT room is a room with 2 cameras in it you will have to stay in it for 5 days you will have your own bathroom you will eat all your meals in the room
	During VT, EEG technicians will attach wires to your head – these are called electrodes
	The electrodes will stay on for 5 days
	You will have to carry the bag that the electrodes connect to – staff will help you move around if you find this hard
	When the EEG technician takes off the electrodes, there may be a bit of glue left in your hair – use some hair conditioner to help get it out
	Accessible toilets
	There are accessible toilets on the ward
	There is an accessible bath on the ward – you can use this during your stay with staff supervision
	Types of tests you may have during your stay
	blood pressure check blood sugar level check
	an electrocardiogram (ECG) – this test records you heart rhythm
	an EEG – this test measures your brain activity
	a weight check using standing scales – we do have wheelchair and hoist scales if needed
	a height check a urine test
	a blood test – we can apply a numbing cream first if needed
	an MRI scan – this shows us a picture of your brain
	We all always ask for your consent before doing any tests
	We will tell you the about results and meaning of any test
	If you have a power of attorney, they can help you to make decisions
	What to bring to Gowers
	your hospital passport
	toothbrush and toothpaste dentures if you wear them shower gel or soap
	shampoo and conditioner – bring some conditioner for getting the glue out of your hair
	flannel and a towel
	casual or loose-fitting clothes – please try not to spend the day in your nightwear
	nightwear and dressing gown
	slippers underwear
	walking aids and any special equipment you need
	hearing aids
	glasses and sunglasses
	some money
	bring at least 1 week’s worth of medication with you - the nurses will give you your tablets while you are with us
	Things not allowed at Gowers
	no illegal drugs no alcohol
	no smoking or vaping anywhere in UCLH or on Epilepsy Society residential grounds
	nicotine patches and inhalators are available
	Visitors
	Visitors are welcome every day from
	People can visit from 10am to 8pm
	Visitors should sign in at reception
	Visitors can see you in your bedspace, or in the lounge or dining room
	Other information
	You must let us know if you cannot come to your appointment – if you miss an appointment without letting us know, we may take you off the waiting list
	Check your appointment letter for the correct number to call us on
	We are looking forward to seeing you at Gowers
	Where to find us Our address is Sir William Gowers Unit Centre for Epilepsy Chalfont St Peter Bucks. SL9 0RJ
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