What should I bring into hospital?

You will have a locker next to your bed where you can keep your personal belongings, but space is limited.

Please bring with you:

• Nightdress/pyjamas

• Day clothes. Not all patients have to stay in their nightdress/pyjamas, please ask the nurse in charge of your care

• Dressing gown and slippers

• Small hand towel

• Toiletries: soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner

• A razor and shaving materials

• A comb or hairbrush

• Things to do, such as books, puzzles, magazines

• Some disposable wet wipes in case you are unable to get out of bed at any time

• A small amount of money to cover things like newspapers, phone calls and items you buy from hospital shops or the ward trolley

• All the tablets or medicines you are taking including nicotine replacement therapy



Can I bring in electrical appliances like hairdryers and shavers?

If you are bringing electrical appliances into the hospital such as hairdryers please inform the nurse in charge. In the interests of everyone’s safety, the hospital reserves the right to refuse to let patients use any equipment which is thought to be unsafe.

 

What about valuable personal property?

The hospital cannot accept responsibility for loss or theft. The Trust places a high priority on the safety and security of its patients, visitors and staff. The following advice helps us to maintain a safe environment and reduce the opportunity for crime at the hospital.

• Please don’t bring valuable items, credit cards, jewellery or large sums of money.

• Don’t leave any valuables unattended in your bed-side locker or bed area.

• Report anything suspicious to the ward staff.

• Report any loss or theft promptly to the ward staff.

• If necessary, sentimental items or money can be kept in a hospital safe and a receipt will be given to you.

• Make sure you collect and check all your belongings before being discharged.

 


Do I need to bring my tablets and medicine?

Please bring all your medicines or tablets, including nicotine replacement therapy, with you and make sure that the hospital knows about all the tablets or medicines you are taking. This is because any medicines the doctors do not know about may affect your treatment. Some people find it helpful to make a list of all their tablets or medicines beforehand. This can then be brought with you when you are admitted.

A locked medicine cabinet has been provided for each patient to keep their medicines in. This ensures that your own medicines are available at the bedside. We like you to bring in the medicines you are taking and continue to use them if the doctor prescribes them here. We will ask your permission first. We believe this will reduce possible confusion by you having medicines at home, as well as any medicines we give you when you go home. Waiting for medicines when you go home is something we try to avoid and we hope this will reduce that too. Your GP is aware of all this and thinks it is a sensible approach.

If you want to take your own medicines, just like you do at home, then ask us. We will make a judgement and discuss this with you. If you are well enough and wish to ‘self-administer’ then we will ask you how you are getting on and check you remain fit and well enough each day, to keep on with this plan. The doctor or pharmacist may need to change some of your medicines, and if this happens it will be explained to you.

If you hold a special card giving details of your current treatment, such as a steroid or warfarin card, please bring this with you too.

Last updated: 7 December, 2007
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