A word describing a 'part' of UK hospitals (departments?)





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What's the common name in usage in the UK for the part in the hospital that specializes in one field only (for example neurology)?
I saw two different names 'wing' and 'department'. But both are in non native English speakers country, so I'm not sure what it reflexes and if it's correct also in context of medicine.










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  • Are you asking about administrative divisions or physical areas? I know you're asking about the UK, so it's likely different there, but in the US, the "maternity department" would be the administrative aspect while the "maternity ward" would have the birthing rooms, nursery and such, and may be located on a single floor of the "north wing" of the hospital.
    – miltonaut
    1 hour ago



















up vote
6
down vote

favorite












What's the common name in usage in the UK for the part in the hospital that specializes in one field only (for example neurology)?
I saw two different names 'wing' and 'department'. But both are in non native English speakers country, so I'm not sure what it reflexes and if it's correct also in context of medicine.










share|improve this question
























  • Are you asking about administrative divisions or physical areas? I know you're asking about the UK, so it's likely different there, but in the US, the "maternity department" would be the administrative aspect while the "maternity ward" would have the birthing rooms, nursery and such, and may be located on a single floor of the "north wing" of the hospital.
    – miltonaut
    1 hour ago















up vote
6
down vote

favorite









up vote
6
down vote

favorite











What's the common name in usage in the UK for the part in the hospital that specializes in one field only (for example neurology)?
I saw two different names 'wing' and 'department'. But both are in non native English speakers country, so I'm not sure what it reflexes and if it's correct also in context of medicine.










share|improve this question















What's the common name in usage in the UK for the part in the hospital that specializes in one field only (for example neurology)?
I saw two different names 'wing' and 'department'. But both are in non native English speakers country, so I'm not sure what it reflexes and if it's correct also in context of medicine.







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edited 6 hours ago









Glorfindel

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asked 20 hours ago









Perplexed folks

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10.7k54175312












  • Are you asking about administrative divisions or physical areas? I know you're asking about the UK, so it's likely different there, but in the US, the "maternity department" would be the administrative aspect while the "maternity ward" would have the birthing rooms, nursery and such, and may be located on a single floor of the "north wing" of the hospital.
    – miltonaut
    1 hour ago




















  • Are you asking about administrative divisions or physical areas? I know you're asking about the UK, so it's likely different there, but in the US, the "maternity department" would be the administrative aspect while the "maternity ward" would have the birthing rooms, nursery and such, and may be located on a single floor of the "north wing" of the hospital.
    – miltonaut
    1 hour ago


















Are you asking about administrative divisions or physical areas? I know you're asking about the UK, so it's likely different there, but in the US, the "maternity department" would be the administrative aspect while the "maternity ward" would have the birthing rooms, nursery and such, and may be located on a single floor of the "north wing" of the hospital.
– miltonaut
1 hour ago






Are you asking about administrative divisions or physical areas? I know you're asking about the UK, so it's likely different there, but in the US, the "maternity department" would be the administrative aspect while the "maternity ward" would have the birthing rooms, nursery and such, and may be located on a single floor of the "north wing" of the hospital.
– miltonaut
1 hour ago












5 Answers
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up vote
13
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Wing and department are both acceptable.



"Wing" suggests a physical building that is next to the main part of the hosptial. Department suggests part of the organisational structure.



At my local hospital the buildings are named "Jubilee Centre", "Canadian Wing", in which there are multiple "Departments", each has its own name. The Canadian wing houses the "Ross Tilley Ward", "Day surgery" and the "Diet and Nutrition Department". It is possible for a building to house just one department. There is the "Burns and Reconstruction Department", which is both a building and a department.



There are many other words that could be used, and sometimes no word at all. One of the departments is called "Outpatients" another is called "Cardiology".






share|improve this answer

















  • 5




    "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
    – WS2
    18 hours ago










  • Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
    – kandyman
    8 hours ago










  • @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
    – Darael
    6 hours ago










  • @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
    – Nic Hartley
    3 hours ago












  • @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
    – kandyman
    3 hours ago


















up vote
10
down vote













A specialist section in a hospital is sometimes referred to as a unit as in "the maternity unit" or "the burns unit". Taking the definition from Collins:




any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole




So the maternity unit is the group within the hospital that deals specifically with maternity matters. You can see from the ngrams graph that "maternity ward" is more popular than "maternity unit", but that is more popular than "maternity department" (the order still holds if you switch the search to British English).



That said, it is also normal to simply omit the specifier (ward/department/unit) and say something like "Send these results through to cardiology".



If you attend hospital for a specific reason, you are very likely attending a "clinic". A clinic can be a specific building/location but it can also be a specific session. That is, a "baby clinic" can be held in a rural community centre, or it can be a specific part of a hospital building.






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    Have you considered the word "ward"? That's how I've heard it mostly commonly referred to.



    I am in the UK, if that helps.






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    Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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    • 4




      I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
      – Peter Green
      15 hours ago










    • @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
      – TripeHound
      14 hours ago










    • @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
      – alephzero
      7 hours ago




















    up vote
    1
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    Generally 'department' relates to an administrative division which isn't necessarily located in one specific place while 'wing' tends to refer to a large area of a building or complex of buildings.



    For example you might say that the cardiology department is based in the east wing of the hospital.



    Of course if one part of the building is dedicated to one department it might well be called the cardiology (or whatever) wing.



    There is also 'ward' which refers specifically to a (usually large) room or suite of rooms where patients are housed and/or treated.



    You often also see the term 'unit' which tends to be used for a composite collection of staff, equipment, space and other resources intended to work together for a specific function or specialism. The implication often being that it is able to draw on a wide range of resources and coordinate them effectively.






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      up vote
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      You can also use sectors:




      This is the neurology sector




      I also personally use departments and have heard people use it.






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      • 3




        I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
        – Martin Bonner
        15 hours ago










      • @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
        – D Manokhin
        15 hours ago










      • Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
        – Cullub
        14 hours ago










      • I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
        – TripeHound
        14 hours ago






      • 4




        I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
        – David Richerby
        13 hours ago













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      5 Answers
      5






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      5 Answers
      5






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      up vote
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      down vote













      Wing and department are both acceptable.



      "Wing" suggests a physical building that is next to the main part of the hosptial. Department suggests part of the organisational structure.



      At my local hospital the buildings are named "Jubilee Centre", "Canadian Wing", in which there are multiple "Departments", each has its own name. The Canadian wing houses the "Ross Tilley Ward", "Day surgery" and the "Diet and Nutrition Department". It is possible for a building to house just one department. There is the "Burns and Reconstruction Department", which is both a building and a department.



      There are many other words that could be used, and sometimes no word at all. One of the departments is called "Outpatients" another is called "Cardiology".






      share|improve this answer

















      • 5




        "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
        – WS2
        18 hours ago










      • Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
        – kandyman
        8 hours ago










      • @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
        – Darael
        6 hours ago










      • @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
        – Nic Hartley
        3 hours ago












      • @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
        – kandyman
        3 hours ago















      up vote
      13
      down vote













      Wing and department are both acceptable.



      "Wing" suggests a physical building that is next to the main part of the hosptial. Department suggests part of the organisational structure.



      At my local hospital the buildings are named "Jubilee Centre", "Canadian Wing", in which there are multiple "Departments", each has its own name. The Canadian wing houses the "Ross Tilley Ward", "Day surgery" and the "Diet and Nutrition Department". It is possible for a building to house just one department. There is the "Burns and Reconstruction Department", which is both a building and a department.



      There are many other words that could be used, and sometimes no word at all. One of the departments is called "Outpatients" another is called "Cardiology".






      share|improve this answer

















      • 5




        "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
        – WS2
        18 hours ago










      • Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
        – kandyman
        8 hours ago










      • @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
        – Darael
        6 hours ago










      • @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
        – Nic Hartley
        3 hours ago












      • @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
        – kandyman
        3 hours ago













      up vote
      13
      down vote










      up vote
      13
      down vote









      Wing and department are both acceptable.



      "Wing" suggests a physical building that is next to the main part of the hosptial. Department suggests part of the organisational structure.



      At my local hospital the buildings are named "Jubilee Centre", "Canadian Wing", in which there are multiple "Departments", each has its own name. The Canadian wing houses the "Ross Tilley Ward", "Day surgery" and the "Diet and Nutrition Department". It is possible for a building to house just one department. There is the "Burns and Reconstruction Department", which is both a building and a department.



      There are many other words that could be used, and sometimes no word at all. One of the departments is called "Outpatients" another is called "Cardiology".






      share|improve this answer












      Wing and department are both acceptable.



      "Wing" suggests a physical building that is next to the main part of the hosptial. Department suggests part of the organisational structure.



      At my local hospital the buildings are named "Jubilee Centre", "Canadian Wing", in which there are multiple "Departments", each has its own name. The Canadian wing houses the "Ross Tilley Ward", "Day surgery" and the "Diet and Nutrition Department". It is possible for a building to house just one department. There is the "Burns and Reconstruction Department", which is both a building and a department.



      There are many other words that could be used, and sometimes no word at all. One of the departments is called "Outpatients" another is called "Cardiology".







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered 19 hours ago









      James K

      32.2k13683




      32.2k13683








      • 5




        "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
        – WS2
        18 hours ago










      • Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
        – kandyman
        8 hours ago










      • @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
        – Darael
        6 hours ago










      • @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
        – Nic Hartley
        3 hours ago












      • @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
        – kandyman
        3 hours ago














      • 5




        "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
        – WS2
        18 hours ago










      • Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
        – kandyman
        8 hours ago










      • @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
        – Darael
        6 hours ago










      • @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
        – Nic Hartley
        3 hours ago












      • @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
        – kandyman
        3 hours ago








      5




      5




      "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
      – WS2
      18 hours ago




      "Wing" is usually associated with part of a large building e.g. The south wing of the museum houses dinosaur relics. But the term is used in hospitals in the way you suggest. Sometimes you will see signs that say something like cardiac wing. It means that a whole section of the building is devoted to cardiac work.
      – WS2
      18 hours ago












      Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
      – kandyman
      8 hours ago




      Surely 'wing' is too general. You could imagine a situation where there are several departments located in one wing of the building.
      – kandyman
      8 hours ago












      @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
      – Darael
      6 hours ago




      @kandyman "wing" would still be acceptable in the remaining cases (either where a department took up a whole wing, or where several departments which were closely-enough-related that there was a term for them as a group took up a wing between them) but yes, in general "department" would be preferable.
      – Darael
      6 hours ago












      @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
      – Nic Hartley
      3 hours ago






      @kandyman Yes, you can imagine that situation. But, as someone who's worked with and been to hospitals, there are also plenty of places where the section that does e.g. emergency medicine is large enough to be its own, separate wing.
      – Nic Hartley
      3 hours ago














      @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
      – kandyman
      3 hours ago




      @NicHartley I’m not disputing that. But since there are also places where several departments are in one wing, I suggested that ‘wing’ might be too general a term and that ‘department’ might be more precise. Is it so hard to imagine the sentence “The radiology department is located in the south wing, next to the cardiology department” ? (or whatever departments are likely to be close together)
      – kandyman
      3 hours ago












      up vote
      10
      down vote













      A specialist section in a hospital is sometimes referred to as a unit as in "the maternity unit" or "the burns unit". Taking the definition from Collins:




      any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole




      So the maternity unit is the group within the hospital that deals specifically with maternity matters. You can see from the ngrams graph that "maternity ward" is more popular than "maternity unit", but that is more popular than "maternity department" (the order still holds if you switch the search to British English).



      That said, it is also normal to simply omit the specifier (ward/department/unit) and say something like "Send these results through to cardiology".



      If you attend hospital for a specific reason, you are very likely attending a "clinic". A clinic can be a specific building/location but it can also be a specific session. That is, a "baby clinic" can be held in a rural community centre, or it can be a specific part of a hospital building.






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        10
        down vote













        A specialist section in a hospital is sometimes referred to as a unit as in "the maternity unit" or "the burns unit". Taking the definition from Collins:




        any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole




        So the maternity unit is the group within the hospital that deals specifically with maternity matters. You can see from the ngrams graph that "maternity ward" is more popular than "maternity unit", but that is more popular than "maternity department" (the order still holds if you switch the search to British English).



        That said, it is also normal to simply omit the specifier (ward/department/unit) and say something like "Send these results through to cardiology".



        If you attend hospital for a specific reason, you are very likely attending a "clinic". A clinic can be a specific building/location but it can also be a specific session. That is, a "baby clinic" can be held in a rural community centre, or it can be a specific part of a hospital building.






        share|improve this answer























          up vote
          10
          down vote










          up vote
          10
          down vote









          A specialist section in a hospital is sometimes referred to as a unit as in "the maternity unit" or "the burns unit". Taking the definition from Collins:




          any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole




          So the maternity unit is the group within the hospital that deals specifically with maternity matters. You can see from the ngrams graph that "maternity ward" is more popular than "maternity unit", but that is more popular than "maternity department" (the order still holds if you switch the search to British English).



          That said, it is also normal to simply omit the specifier (ward/department/unit) and say something like "Send these results through to cardiology".



          If you attend hospital for a specific reason, you are very likely attending a "clinic". A clinic can be a specific building/location but it can also be a specific session. That is, a "baby clinic" can be held in a rural community centre, or it can be a specific part of a hospital building.






          share|improve this answer












          A specialist section in a hospital is sometimes referred to as a unit as in "the maternity unit" or "the burns unit". Taking the definition from Collins:




          any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole




          So the maternity unit is the group within the hospital that deals specifically with maternity matters. You can see from the ngrams graph that "maternity ward" is more popular than "maternity unit", but that is more popular than "maternity department" (the order still holds if you switch the search to British English).



          That said, it is also normal to simply omit the specifier (ward/department/unit) and say something like "Send these results through to cardiology".



          If you attend hospital for a specific reason, you are very likely attending a "clinic". A clinic can be a specific building/location but it can also be a specific session. That is, a "baby clinic" can be held in a rural community centre, or it can be a specific part of a hospital building.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 14 hours ago









          Pam

          40917




          40917






















              up vote
              7
              down vote













              Have you considered the word "ward"? That's how I've heard it mostly commonly referred to.



              I am in the UK, if that helps.






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.














              • 4




                I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
                – Peter Green
                15 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
                – TripeHound
                14 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
                – alephzero
                7 hours ago

















              up vote
              7
              down vote













              Have you considered the word "ward"? That's how I've heard it mostly commonly referred to.



              I am in the UK, if that helps.






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.














              • 4




                I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
                – Peter Green
                15 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
                – TripeHound
                14 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
                – alephzero
                7 hours ago















              up vote
              7
              down vote










              up vote
              7
              down vote









              Have you considered the word "ward"? That's how I've heard it mostly commonly referred to.



              I am in the UK, if that helps.






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              Have you considered the word "ward"? That's how I've heard it mostly commonly referred to.



              I am in the UK, if that helps.







              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 8 hours ago









              ColleenV

              10.4k53159




              10.4k53159






              New contributor




              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              answered 15 hours ago









              Emma Abdalla

              791




              791




              New contributor




              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.





              New contributor





              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.






              Emma Abdalla is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.








              • 4




                I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
                – Peter Green
                15 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
                – TripeHound
                14 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
                – alephzero
                7 hours ago
















              • 4




                I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
                – Peter Green
                15 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
                – TripeHound
                14 hours ago










              • @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
                – alephzero
                7 hours ago










              4




              4




              I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
              – Peter Green
              15 hours ago




              I don't think ward us the term the OP is looking for. At least my understanding of the term "ward" is a room where people stay in the hospital and receive supportive care and some minor treatments. For more major treatments the patients will be transported to appropriate rooms (e.g. an operating theatre for surgery)
              – Peter Green
              15 hours ago












              @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
              – TripeHound
              14 hours ago




              @PeterGreen "Ward" can sometimes be used in the OP's way, but you are right that it isn't an ideal fit. Many hospitals will have some "General" wards, and a number of more special-purpose wards (e.g. "Dementia ward") where patients with a common complaint will be sent. However, there would often be a department around that ward containing the people with the specialist skills to treat that class of patient.
              – TripeHound
              14 hours ago












              @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
              – alephzero
              7 hours ago






              @PeterGreen Also, some wards may have functions that are not related to specific "diseases". For example my nearest hospital has a group of "stepdown wards" with specialist staff to monitor patients for the first 24 or 48 hours of recovery after major surgery, irrespective of what was the reason for the surgery. Once it is clear that there are no high-risk complications developing, the patients are moved to the departmental wards dealing with their particular medical problem.
              – alephzero
              7 hours ago












              up vote
              1
              down vote













              Generally 'department' relates to an administrative division which isn't necessarily located in one specific place while 'wing' tends to refer to a large area of a building or complex of buildings.



              For example you might say that the cardiology department is based in the east wing of the hospital.



              Of course if one part of the building is dedicated to one department it might well be called the cardiology (or whatever) wing.



              There is also 'ward' which refers specifically to a (usually large) room or suite of rooms where patients are housed and/or treated.



              You often also see the term 'unit' which tends to be used for a composite collection of staff, equipment, space and other resources intended to work together for a specific function or specialism. The implication often being that it is able to draw on a wide range of resources and coordinate them effectively.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                Generally 'department' relates to an administrative division which isn't necessarily located in one specific place while 'wing' tends to refer to a large area of a building or complex of buildings.



                For example you might say that the cardiology department is based in the east wing of the hospital.



                Of course if one part of the building is dedicated to one department it might well be called the cardiology (or whatever) wing.



                There is also 'ward' which refers specifically to a (usually large) room or suite of rooms where patients are housed and/or treated.



                You often also see the term 'unit' which tends to be used for a composite collection of staff, equipment, space and other resources intended to work together for a specific function or specialism. The implication often being that it is able to draw on a wide range of resources and coordinate them effectively.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote









                  Generally 'department' relates to an administrative division which isn't necessarily located in one specific place while 'wing' tends to refer to a large area of a building or complex of buildings.



                  For example you might say that the cardiology department is based in the east wing of the hospital.



                  Of course if one part of the building is dedicated to one department it might well be called the cardiology (or whatever) wing.



                  There is also 'ward' which refers specifically to a (usually large) room or suite of rooms where patients are housed and/or treated.



                  You often also see the term 'unit' which tends to be used for a composite collection of staff, equipment, space and other resources intended to work together for a specific function or specialism. The implication often being that it is able to draw on a wide range of resources and coordinate them effectively.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Generally 'department' relates to an administrative division which isn't necessarily located in one specific place while 'wing' tends to refer to a large area of a building or complex of buildings.



                  For example you might say that the cardiology department is based in the east wing of the hospital.



                  Of course if one part of the building is dedicated to one department it might well be called the cardiology (or whatever) wing.



                  There is also 'ward' which refers specifically to a (usually large) room or suite of rooms where patients are housed and/or treated.



                  You often also see the term 'unit' which tends to be used for a composite collection of staff, equipment, space and other resources intended to work together for a specific function or specialism. The implication often being that it is able to draw on a wide range of resources and coordinate them effectively.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 11 hours ago









                  Chris Johns

                  52926




                  52926






















                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote













                      You can also use sectors:




                      This is the neurology sector




                      I also personally use departments and have heard people use it.






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.














                      • 3




                        I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
                        – Martin Bonner
                        15 hours ago










                      • @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
                        – D Manokhin
                        15 hours ago










                      • Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
                        – Cullub
                        14 hours ago










                      • I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
                        – TripeHound
                        14 hours ago






                      • 4




                        I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
                        – David Richerby
                        13 hours ago

















                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote













                      You can also use sectors:




                      This is the neurology sector




                      I also personally use departments and have heard people use it.






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.














                      • 3




                        I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
                        – Martin Bonner
                        15 hours ago










                      • @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
                        – D Manokhin
                        15 hours ago










                      • Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
                        – Cullub
                        14 hours ago










                      • I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
                        – TripeHound
                        14 hours ago






                      • 4




                        I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
                        – David Richerby
                        13 hours ago















                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote









                      You can also use sectors:




                      This is the neurology sector




                      I also personally use departments and have heard people use it.






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      You can also use sectors:




                      This is the neurology sector




                      I also personally use departments and have heard people use it.







                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer






                      New contributor




                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      answered 20 hours ago









                      D Manokhin

                      43912




                      43912




                      New contributor




                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      New contributor





                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      D Manokhin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.








                      • 3




                        I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
                        – Martin Bonner
                        15 hours ago










                      • @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
                        – D Manokhin
                        15 hours ago










                      • Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
                        – Cullub
                        14 hours ago










                      • I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
                        – TripeHound
                        14 hours ago






                      • 4




                        I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
                        – David Richerby
                        13 hours ago
















                      • 3




                        I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
                        – Martin Bonner
                        15 hours ago










                      • @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
                        – D Manokhin
                        15 hours ago










                      • Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
                        – Cullub
                        14 hours ago










                      • I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
                        – TripeHound
                        14 hours ago






                      • 4




                        I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
                        – David Richerby
                        13 hours ago










                      3




                      3




                      I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
                      – Martin Bonner
                      15 hours ago




                      I can understand "sector" in this context, but it sounds very unnatural to me (BrE native). Is it American English? (Note: It's fine if it is - learners need to know that the variants exist and vocabulary can vary.)
                      – Martin Bonner
                      15 hours ago












                      @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
                      – D Manokhin
                      15 hours ago




                      @MartinBonner I use British English and I would say both departments and sector
                      – D Manokhin
                      15 hours ago












                      Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
                      – Cullub
                      14 hours ago




                      Mid-west US native here, and I'd concur with @Martin. I'd understand what they meant, but as part of a hospital it sounds unnatural. Department or Wing would be used generally.
                      – Cullub
                      14 hours ago












                      I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
                      – TripeHound
                      14 hours ago




                      I (BrE native) would understand the term, but I don't recall ever seeing it in use in an actual hospital (which doesn't mean it isn't, somewhere).
                      – TripeHound
                      14 hours ago




                      4




                      4




                      I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
                      – David Richerby
                      13 hours ago






                      I don't think this works at all. To me, "the neurology sector" implies the general practice of neurology across the whole of medicine, as distinct from the practice of other areas of medicine such as cardiology or rheumatology. Analogously, one might refer to "the food sector" when talking about restaurants and supermarkets and their contribution to a country's economy as a whole, but you'd never point at a restaurant and say "That's the [or a] food sector."
                      – David Richerby
                      13 hours ago




















                       

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