Doctors

What does the Doctor do on the wards?

When the patient is in the ICU, they are their care is led by ICU medical team. When the patient leaves the ICU the medical care transfers back to the team of specialists that saw the patient when they were first admitted to the hospital. They may be medical or surgical doctors depending on the clinical condition.

The patient will be looked after by a team of doctors led by a specialist consultant.

All patients will be seen every day by the team of doctors and are available to review the patient when needed 24 hours a day. Normally the patient will be seen by the medical team on their ward rounds, twice a day (morning and evening) . This will normally be led by the consultant and a junior doctors will normally describe the patient’s case. 

The doctors will:

• ask the patient how they are feeling and if they have any concerns or questions.
• review observation charts, to monitor and provide general medical care
• examine and talk with patients to diagnose and treat their conditions
• Carry out specific procedures e.g. operations, and specialist investigations
• Prescribe and review patients medications

The doctor will decide what medications are needed before the patient goes home and will provide a prescription for the pharmacy team.  The doctor will also write to the patients GP summarising what has happened to the patient whilst in hospital (this is called the discharge summary). The patient will also be given a copy of this.