Coming into hospital can be a worrying time and you probably have a few questions about your stay in hospital. We have provided some general information below and you can also find out more information in our patient information booklet.
Please remember if you are worried or have any questions then speak to our staff – they are here to help.
What do I need to bring with me?
When coming into hospital please bring the following with you:
- Any prescription medication you are currently taking
- Pyjamas or nightdress
- Toiletries and shaving equipment, please do not bring talcum powder
- Face cloth and towel
- Shoes or slippers
- Dressing gown
- Casual comfortable clothes
- Your appointment card or letter
- Your personal details, including your current address and telephone number
- Your GP’s address and telephone number
- If you are exempt from payment of prescriptions, please bring proof with you
Can I have visitors?
Yes during your time in hospital, friends and loved ones are welcome to come and visit you on our wards. Each of our wards has different visiting times. You can find out the visiting times for the ward you are staying on by clicking on the name of the hospital below.
Lister
Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
QEII
Can I have visitors during mealtimes?
We try to make sure that while being cared for on our wards, patients have an opportunity to eat their meals without being interrupted – including by our own staff. Please ask your visitors to try to avoid coming during these times.
Lunch – 12.00 to 1.00pm
Dinner – 5.30 to 6.30pm
Got a concern?
If something is causing you concern, you have a question about your care or a general question, please ask our staff. Whatever the reason our staff are happy to help. Please raise any issues or concerns as soon as possible.
If the ward sister is not available, then please ask to speak to the duty matron who will listen to what you have to say and act on it. Our PALS (patient advice and liaison services) team are also a useful source of help.
Same-sex accommodation 2013/14
Same sex accommodation means only patients of the same sex (i.e. men or women) will sleep in the same bay or ward and use the same washing and toilet facilities.
The majority of our patients will always be in same sex accommodation. However, there will be occasions when it is not possible to care for patients in a same-sex environment. This is most likely to happen if a patient needs emergency or specialist care. You can find out more in our patient information leaflet.
Delivering same sex accommodation patient information leaflet
We have met the same sex accommodation standard in all of our hospitals. We have an action plan to make sure we measure and maintain the same sex accommodation standard in all our hospitals.
Our eliminating mixed sex accommodation declaration of compliance
Our eliminating mixed sex accommodation action plan
Smoking, alcohol and drugs
Sorry, but it is NHS policy that smoking or drinking alcohol within our hospitals and grounds isn’t allowed. Any use of illegal drugs will be reported to the police.
Security – patients and our staff
We take your security very seriously. Some of our clinical areas- typically those for children, pregnant women/ new mothers and elderly care wards- have restricted access 24-hours a day.
While our staff are there to help, we expect them to be able to do so without being abused in any way. Where patients and/or their visitors become abusive, for whatever reason, then this is something that we will take very seriously. We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to abuse of our staff.
