Preparing for your stay in hospital

Time and place of admission

Your admission letter will tell you the date and time of your admission, the name of your ward, your consultant and any special instructions you may need to follow (such as not eating or drinking, or about any drugs you may be taking).

On the day of admission

Please follow the instructions in your admission letter.

If you are unwell or cannot make the date given, please call the hospital as soon as possible so we can offer this time to another patient.

Your stay with us

We will care for you in same sex bays in wards with separate sanitary facilities for men and women. There are a few exceptions in some specialist services and critical care areas.

We ask patients and visitors to help us protect
against infection by cleaning their hands on arriving and leaving, and in all patient areas.

We will discuss your treatment and discharge plans with you daily. If you have any questions, please ask the ward staff.

What should I bring?

You will need:

• warm nightwear, dressing gown, slippers,personal toiletries
• some hand wipes for your personal use
• your own day clothes for comfort
• hand towel (ideally named)
• your mobility aids
• money for phone calls, TV and newspapers
• something to help you pass the time such as a book, magazine or puzzles
  

There is limited storage space in the bedside locker and on the wards. Please bring as few personal belongings with you as possible and, for your own security, leave valuables at home. The Trust is not responsible for any losses.

Medicines

Please bring all your medicines, a current repeat prescription from your G.P. and any cards about your treatment.

Please tell the ward staff about all medicines you use (including inhalers, injections, creams or patches). Please ask if you wish to take your own medicines during your stay. Pharmacists visit the wards regularly and can help with any medicine queries.

Download this information as a leaflet:

Preparing for your stay in hospital