Guide for Patients, Volunteers and their Visitors

Imperial Clinical Research Facility

About the Imperial Clinical Research Facility

The new NIHR/Wellcome Trust Imperial CRF (ICRF) is the latest chapter in a long history of clinical research taking place in Hammersmith. The ICRF opened in February 2012 and is the dedicated clinical research facility for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The purpose-built building was partly funded by a £6.2m capital award from the Wellcome Trust and occupies the ground floor of the new £71m Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine.

The ICRF has its own entrance and reception area, but recognising the need to provide a safe environment for Phase 1 studies, it is also easily accessible from Hammersmith Hospital. It provides comfortable clinical accommodation for healthy volunteers and patients taking part in studies requiring long-term in-house monitoring as well as facilities for day case visits. It is equipped to cater for studies from across the range of medical disciplines and provides space for clinical research fellows, nurses and allied healthcare professionals.

The ICRF is staffed with experienced medical teams including GCP-trained research nurses and physicians, and operational staff fully trained in research governance and regulatory affairs.

The ICRF has recently been awarded a further £10.9m NIHR funding to continue to provide support for translational medicine studies, allowing us to continue carrying out ground breaking research that not only benefits our local community, but people globally.

Clinical trial study details

Study Name:

Name of Doctor / Researcher:

Name of Nurse:

Daytime Number: (8am - 6pm)

Out of hours Number: (6pm -8am):

Visit Date Instructions

Appointments

Opening Hours

We are open from 8am-8pm, Monday to Thursday and 8am-6pm on Friday, and overnight and weekends when needed.

At the ICRF, there is a security desk inside the main door which covers the whole building and is open from 8am-5pm. Security will allow you entry into the building if you are due for a study visit.

After security you will find the reception area for the ICRF through the doors on the right. This is open from 9am-5pm. If you or your visitors arrive outside of these hours, an intercom system is available at the front entrance of the building for you to use. A member of staff will then meet you to give you access to the unit. During your visit with us please let the nurse or researcher looking after you on the day know if you need to leave the ICRF at any time.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are from 9am-8pm. If your friends and relatives wish to visit outside of these times, please check whether this is possible with the nurse in charge first.

Visitors are very welcome, but are limited to two per patient or volunteer at any one time. We ask visitors to remain quiet on the wards to avoid disturbing other patients or volunteers. Children are welcome provided they are supervised by a responsible adult at all times and they do not disturb other patients or volunteers. Visitors may be asked to leave if medical or nursing care needs to be carried out.

Staff at the ICRF

Key staff at the ICRF include:

• Professor Martin Wilkins, Director of Imperial CRF, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology

• Dr Karen Mosley, General Manager• Mr Shokri Othman, Lead Nurse• Ms Jeannette Davies, Administrator

Other staff you may meet during your visit include NHS Trust doctors (Clinical Research Fellows), NHS Trust Research Nurses, Clinical Project Managers and other researchers. Each member of staff wears a badge with their name and photograph on it, so that you can identify them. A senior research nurse is allocated to be in charge of the shift on a daily basis. You will be assigned a named nurse for the study you are involved in on your first visit.

The ICRF has 13 in-patient beds, including three side rooms. Eight rooms with recliners are available to accommodate patients or volunteers on short stay or day visits.

We have seperate wards with five bays each for men and women. Toilets and showers are fitted with nurse call bells if you need help. Toilets can be found next to the lounge area as well. All our facilities are wheelchair friendly.

We have a large and comfortable lounge area for patients and volunteers taking part in clinical trials. Entertainment includes a television, a DVD player with a selection of DVDs, PCs and game consoles and books.

If you need to stay in the ward or your room and can’t use the lounge, we have laptops and iPads available to use whilst in the ICRF.

Wi-Fi is also available, just ask a nurse or researcher for the password.

Patient Facilities

One of our two wards

We have comfortable recliners for day visitors.

Our patient and volunteer lounge.

What to bring into hospital if you are staying overnight

We can supply towels and gowns, but you may need to bring some items with you.Here is a suggested checklist:

• Any regular medication you take in its box with prescription details• Nightwear and underwear• Casual, loose fitting clothes, flip flops for shower• Toiletries• Hairbrush and/or comb• Dressing gown and slippers • Books and magazines (optional)• A small amount of cash for the shop• Razor (electric if possible)• Personal headphones

Do not bring large or valuable items with you, as you will only have a small bedside locker in which to keep your belongings. We are unable to accept responsibility for the safety of personal belongings, unless you give them to us for safekeeping and we give you a receipt. If you require this service, please tell the nurse who is looking after you as soon as possible.

Please remember to bring with you all the medicines you are currently taking, includ-ing any medication packaging and instructions. Our staff will discuss with you how and when you should take your medication during your stay in hospital.

Meals

Our meal service offers you a wide choice of meals or snacks for you to order lunch or an evening meal. If you wish, you can choose to have your meals by your bedside or you may have it in the lounge area where you can meet and socialise with fellow patients and volunteers.

Meals are usually served at the following times:

Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 amLunch: 12-1 pmEvening meal: 5-6 pm

If you are away from the ward having investigations or treatment during mealtimes, your meal will be provided upon your return.

Please note that depending on the type of study you are participating in there may be dietary restrictions of which you will have been advised on when joining your study. Some studies, especially those involving dietetics/nutrition, will serve a standard meal provided by the researchers and not by the hospital kitchen. Please ask a member of staff if in doubt. The kitchen areas are for staff only. If you would like any refreshments or snacks during your visit please ask a member of staff.

Hammersmith Hospital facilities

Shops

Amigo Shop is situated near the main entrance of Hammersmith Hospital and sells items which include magazines, newspaper, snacks and toiletries and is open between 7am-8pm.

There is also a Costcutter shop on Du Cane road, on the east side of the hospital near to the entrance of Imperial CRF, and is open betwen

The friends of Hammersmith Hospital, a charitable and voluntary organisation that supports a wide range of hospital departments and facilities, also have a shop in the south corridor where they sell greeting cards, clothes and various other items and is open between 09:00 and 16:00.

Restaurants

• There is a public restaurant, Eat, for patients, visitors and staff. It’s located on the North Corridor of Hammersmith Hospital.

• A small coffee shop called Deli Marchéis can be found just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

• Smaller refreshment areas are also available elsewhere in the hospital on the ground floor.

• There is a café is located in the main entrance of the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, on the same site as Hammersmith.

Pharmacy

Lloyd’s pharmacy is on the ground floor of A-Block in the main hospital. This provides outpatient dispensing as well as the sale of a range of pharmacy and health products. Banking

A NatWest cashpoint is located near the main entrance of the hospital.

Hairdresser

There is a hairdressing salon in the Commonwealth building, see map on page 13.

Flowers

There is a flower stall in the main entrance of Hammersmith Hospital.

Infection control

Infection prevention and control is an integral part of the role of each healthcare worker and everyone is responsible for working together to prevent infection in patients, staff and members of the public.

There are a number of things you can do when coming into hospital to help minimise infection:

• When you arrive or leave the CRF, please wash your hands and/or apply alcohol hand gel from a dispenser. The alcohol gel dispensers are available at every bedside and in all clinical areas. Simply rub the gel onto dry hands and let it evaporate.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet.

• Please encourage your visitors to use the alcohol hand gel before and after they come to see you.

Fire alarms and exits

Fire exits are situated at both ends of the main corridor within Imperial CRF and at the main entrance to the centre, indicated by a green emergency exit sign. The evacuation signal is a continuous audible alert.

If it is necessary to evacuate the building, the assembly area for patients and volunteers is on the ground floor, south corridor near the echocardiograph department, which is located on the main hospital corridor at the front of the hospital.

In the event of a fire or the fire alarm going off, please follow the instructions of the nurse in charge.

Interpreting and sign language

If you require assistance from an interpreter during your stay, please ask a member of staff on the ward.

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy Department at Hammersmith Hospital offers spiritual and pastoral care to patients, staff and visitors. The chaplains cover the Anglican, Catholic, Free Church, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Representatives of other faiths can be contacted as required.

There is a Chapel (Christian) and Prayer room (Muslim) on the ground floor, south corridor which is the main hospital corridor at the front of the hospital.

Accommodation

Visitors and outpatients at Hammersmith Hospital can book into a purpose-built facility next to the hospital, subject to availability. This accommodation includes a bathroom and a kitchenette. For more information please telephone 020 3313 4873/3026 or email accommodation@imperial.nhs.uk.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones may be used within the ICRF at the discretion of the nurse in charge. Please be sensitive to the needs of people around you, keep calls to a minimum and avoid speaking loudly for long periods of time. Please keep your mobile safe. We cannot take responsibility for loss or damage to privately owned equipment while on the premises.

Cameras (including mobile phone cameras) and camcorders may not be used by patients or visitors in any clinical area as this may compromise the privacy and dignity of other patients.

No smoking policy

Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the hospital buildings or grounds. The use of electronic cigarettes is also not permitted within the ICRF.

Tell us about your experience

We value your feedback and would like to hear about your experience. We may ask you to participate in our patient experience survey using an i-Track hand held device. The surveys are completely anonymous so you are reassured that your answers will not have a negative influence on your care. This feedback is important as it will help us to improve the care we provide.

How to raise a concern or make a complaint

Often the quickest and easiest way to resolve a problem or get an answer to any questions you may have is to speak to the staff who are caring for you or the nurse in charge.

If you are not satisfied with the action taken or would like assistance in resolving your concerns please speak to our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 020 8383 0088 or 020 8383 3322. The PALS team act independently when dealing with the concerns of patients, carers or visitors and can help negotiate prompt solutions on your behalf.

Imperial CRF Patient and Public Involvement Group

Our Patient and Public Involvement Group is a panel of people interested in making a difference to the way we carry out clinical research at the ICRF. Members are invited to share their opinions on a range of topics, from what we should be studying, through to how user-friendly the information we give to study participants is, right through to sharing the results of our clinical trials.

Because people lead busy lives, many of our activities will take place online so you can complete them in your own time. You can also pick and choose the activities you wish to take part in.

In return we will offer free training and support. If you are invited to travel to the CRF for activities such as focus groups we will pay for your travel and related expenses.

To find out more please ask our Patient and Public Involvement Manager, Danielle Neal. She can be found sitting behind the reception desk, or contact her:

Email: danielle.neal@imperial.nhs.uk Phone: 020 3313 6107.

Getting Here

The Imperial CRF is located on the ground floor of the Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine at Hammersmith Hospital (shown by the yellow circle on the map opposite).

Underground

Central Line

From East Acton underground station it a 10 minute walk down Du Cane Road to the Hammersmith Hospital, which is on the left hand side of the road.

Walk to the end of the hospital, and turn left on the access road just before the Costcutter convenience store. We are on the left hand side, just past the air bridge. Enter through the revolving doors and ask for us at the security desk.

You can also take a 7, 72, 272 or 283 bus from East Acton Station /Fitzneal Street (Bus Stop C) to Hammersmith Hospital (Stop B).

Hammersmith and City/Circle Line

From Wood Lane underground station, exit and cross the road at the zebra crossing. Bus Stop WE is outside the entrance to the former BBC. Take the 272, 72, or 283 to Hammersmith Hospital (Stops E or F).

Bus

TfL provide a bus map to help you find your way to the hospital by bus. Click here to view the PDF file.

Parking

Disabled parking:There are a number of parking spaces for disabled badge holders at the hospital and parking is free for badge holders in any of the available spaces.

General parking: General parking is very limited, and charges apply. Please bring plenty of change to pay at the car park machines or meters.

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