Coming Into Hospital
When you first arrive at hospital to be admitted as an inpatient you will undergo an assessment and the team of staff looking after you will gather information from both you and your family and/or carer. This will help us to decide what the best plan will be for you as an individual.
When being admitted as an inpatient you may want to bring some supplies and the following items with you:
- Your admission letter.
- All your medicines you currently take including inhalers, vitamins and herbal products in their original containers.
- If possible, bring an up to date list of all your medicines and how you take them.
- Toiletries – If possible, please avoid bringing aerosol type deodorants due to the sensitivity of our fire alarm detectors.
- Nightdress or pyjamas – in some wards, patients can wear their own clothes during the day.
- Dressing gown and slippers.
- Your glasses if you need them and their case.
- Something to read or other items to help occupy yourself during your stay.
- Headphones (for patient entertainment systems).
- If you have dentures (false teeth) please bring a container with your name on it to store them in.
- Hearing aid, the case and spare batteries.
- Ear plugs to block out any noise during the night.
- Eye mask, as there are always some lights left on at night.
- Any other items that staff have asked you to bring.
- Details of any hospital or clinic appointments happening during your hospital stay.
- Contact details for your next of kin e.g. mobile number.
- Only bring a small amount of clothing as bedside storage is limited.
- A small amount of money for newspapers or other small items.
What Not to Bring
- Do not bring any alcohol or illegal substances with you, as we do not permit these.
- Do not bring a large amount of money, valuables, jewellery, clothes or other personal belongings with you. The hospital does not accept any responsibility for loss of, or damage to, personal belongings unless handed in to staff for safekeeping.
You may need a small amount of money for telephone calls, newspapers, etc.
Leaving Hospital
The team involved in your care will give you an idea of when you may be able to return home. This is called a ‘Planned Date of Discharge’.
We want to get you home as quickly as possible, so that you are back in your own familiar surroundings.
As part of your recovery, you may be moved to community facility where you will receive more specialist rehabilitation or care to help you fully recover. This will be agreed with you and will form a key element of the plan for your journey home.
If you have concerns about your discharge it is important that you tell a member of the team as soon as possible so this can be considered and factored into the discharge plan we develop with you.
The short video below explains more about Planned Date of Discharge.
How do I get home?
We encourage you, if you can and it is safe for you to do so, to make your own way home from hospital when you are discharged with the support of family or friends, where possible. If you are not able to do this then please discuss with a member of staff who may be able to organise alternative transport arrangements.
What if I need help with medicine on discharge?
If you need prescribed medicine to support you after hospital, this will be carefully considered with you and your family/carer from the earliest possible stage during your stay.
A range of professionals are involved in this process. Their unified aim is to tailor any course of medicine, be it short or longer term, to how it will best suit your needs when you return home.
If you have trouble taking medicine by yourself, for example, our team will consider this at an early stage and make plans to identify suitable supports that match in with the timings of existing/planned support visits.
There will be good communication between everyone involved which may include hospital pharmacists, the discharge team, your GP, community pharmacy and community staff (like care at home) to make sure everything runs smoothly.
What if I need help with medicines after I leave hospital?
If you need prescribed medication to support you after you leave hospital, this will be carefully considered with you and your family/carer from the earliest possible stage during your stay.
A range of professionals are involved in this process who can provide a course of medication adapted to your healthcare needs when you return home.
If you have trouble taking medicine by yourself staff can organise support, ideally linked with any existing/planned care support visits.
There will be good communication between everyone involved which may include hospital pharmacists, the discharge team, your GP Practice, local pharmacy and community health and social care staff (including care at home services) to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
What support is available in the community after I leave hospital?
This will depend on your needs as an individual. The hospital team will assess and discuss this with you and will work with other organisations to help organise any support you need.
There are a number of services which can provide follow-up support, if required – including those provided by your GP Practice, local pharmacy, social care services, community rehabilitation services, carer support organisations and voluntary organisations.
It is important to note that not everyone will require additional support when they leave hospital however ward staff can provide details of any health and social care professionals if you need to get in touch once you are home.