The Acute Medical Unit (AMU) is a 56-bed unit located on the first floor of University College Hospital. 18 beds form the Enhanced Care Unit which provides care to patients needing enhanced observations, cardiac monitoring and respiratory support. We work closely with the Emergency Department, admitting patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Acute Medical Unit provides assessment, investigation and treatment for acutely unwell patients. We care for patients who have a wide range of acute medical problems, including:
- Heart problems
- Asthma, chest infections and other respiratory conditions
- Infections, for example chest and urine
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Drug and alcohol problems
- Acute illness in the elderly
Our team includes doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacists.
Our hospital is a teaching hospital, so nursing and medical students and observers may be present for some consultations. If you do not want them to be present, please let the team know and the student will be asked to step outside.
Patient contact
Service management
Sofia Ribeiro
Address
Acute Medical Unit (AMU)
University College Hospital
Acute Medical Unit
Ward T1
235 Euston Road
London, NW1 2BU
You will be allocated a named consultant and nurse who will be responsible for your care Every day you will be reviewed by one of our senior acute medical doctors or a doctor from a different specialty, who will develop a treatment plan for your care. We have separate bays for men and women on the ward.
Our mealtimes:
- Breakfast – 08:00
- Lunch – 12:00
- Dinner – 17:00
On the ward you will have access to a shared bathroom with a shower. Each bed has a connected TV unit. You may also use your mobile phone and laptop, but we ask that you respect other patients whilst using these devices, especially when they are asleep or resting. Please note we cannot be held responsible for any damage to or loss of your belongings.
We ask that any valuables or personal items are given to friends or relatives so that they can take them home for safekeeping. If this is not possible, please let your nurse know, we can secure small items in the ward safe.
Patients generally stay for up to 48 hours. During this time a treatment plan will be made by the medical team. Many patients are well enough to be discharged.
If you require further care, meaning a longer stay in hospital, you will be transferred to the care of a specialty team within the Trust or to a different hospital or care facility.
On admission we will ask you about discharge arrangements, such as how you will get home and any support you will need at home. This helps us to plan your discharge effectively and ensure you are not delayed when you are well enough to go home.
A discharge summary will be sent to your GP. This will provide information about the care you have received. The medications you have been asked to take at home and any recommendations for your care after you have gone home. Please remember to take all personal belongings with you when you leave the ward.
As discharge paperwork and medication can take some time to prepare, we have a patient lounge where you can wait. We may ask you to wait there so that your bed can be prepared for another patient. The patient lounge can provide refreshments, including hot meals, and is a friendly, safe environment.
Clinic appointments will be in our outpatient department, located on the Outpatients Department at University College Hospital.
Sometimes, we may arrange to follow you up in our Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit which is located on the ground floor of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building.
Our visiting times are 12:00 to 19:00 each day. For the safety and comfort of all our patients we restrict visitors to two per patient. We ask that no children under five visit, unless it has been agreed with the nursing team.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind all service users to treat our teams with kindness and respect.
Please contact our reception team who are available between 10:00 to 16:00 on 020 3447 0100 or alternatively email the team on uclh.
Our reception team are unable to provide clinical information about patients, however, they are happy to arrange for a member of clinical staff to give you a call back.
- Service Manager: Sofia Ribeiro
- Clinical Lead: Dr Ben Killingley
- Senior Nurse: Lisa Sadler
