WORK OF DEPARTMENT
The AMU receives most of the acute medical admissions to the hospital (excluding acute coronary syndrome and stroke). Patients are assessed and treated, with approximately 50% discharged home from AMU. The remainder are transferred to other wards within 48 hours of admission under the care of other physicians. Most admissions come through the Emergency Department, but direct admissions can also be arranged from GPs after discussion with the Consultant Acute Physician in AMU.
The Acute Medicine team is responsible for the assessment of all admitted patients during their shift and for the ongoing care of short-stay patients under the care of the Acute Medicine Consultants. The team also liaises closely with Emergency Medicine colleagues and the Acute Care at Home initiatives to provide alternatives to admission.
The Acute Medical team also covers the Ambulatory Unit in CAH, which operates from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, with plans for further development. The Ambulatory Care Unit manages stable patients who would otherwise be admitted as inpatients, currently assessing 15-20 patients daily.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
* The Specialty Doctors will work closely with other non-consultant staff in the AMU and ACU, including a specialty doctor and a general medicine core trainee on their three-month rotation, under the supervision of the AMU-based Consultant Acute Physicians. They will be involved in the ongoing treatment and care of patients admitted under the care of the Acute Physicians. They will collaborate with all members of the multidisciplinary team and participate in daily ward rounds with the Consultant Acute Physician.
* Some patients may require a longer inpatient stay and will be transferred from AMU to other hospital wards, where they will be managed by ward-based teams. Specialty Doctors, along with other non-consultant staff, will be responsible for clerking new acute admissions to AMU.
* They will liaise with Emergency Medicine colleagues and may assist in the assessment of patients in the Emergency Department. They may also be involved in teaching undergraduate students.
* Participation in quality and safety improvement projects within the Acute Medicine service is encouraged, including activities for professional development.
* Clinical and professional responsibilities include keeping patients and their carers informed about their condition, involving them in treatment decisions, maintaining professional standards as per GMC guidelines, and performing all work related to their duties, including record-keeping, reporting, delegation, and skill maintenance.
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