Going to hospital

Welcome to our hospital. Your wellbeing is our number one priority.

We rely on you to help us keep you safe and comfortable, so it is important to become familiar with our hospital and what to expect.

While you are in hospital, staff will ask you your full name, date of birth and any allergies you may have.

Staff will ask you these questions many times during your stay. We do this as a safety check, so please be patient with us. Tell us if these details are incorrect.

If you need an interpreter, let us know. We provide professional interpreter services in our hospital - at no cost to you. There might be other information we need to know about you.

Please speak with us if you have cultural or religious preferences, or if you have special food requirements.

Sometimes healthcare can be confusing. You might hear words, or of procedures that are new to you.

If you don't understand - that's okay. Don't be afraid to ask us to explain, or to repeat it again.

To keep you safe, our staff will check on you regularly. Use this as an opportunity to ask questions or discuss any concerns you may have.

Staying for too long in one position can cause bed sores, which are painful and not nice.

If you can, try to change your position in bed and call us if you are uncomfortable. We are very happy to help you change position.

To help prevent blood clots, please wear your hospital stockings if you've been asked to, and move as often as you can.

But be careful... You may not be your usual self, and if you have a fall... it may take you longer to recover.

When you go for a walk, wear shoes, or slippers with rubber soles and use your usual walking aids.

If you need help to get out of bed, to reach something or to go to the bathroom, please use the buzzer to ask the nurses for help.

You might be given medication that you haven't had before.

If you don't understand what the medication is for, or you are concerned about the potential side effects, please let us know.

If you are in pain or uncomfortable, tell your nurse or doctors straight away so they can help you.

If you or your loved ones are concerned that your condition is getting worse, not doing as well as expected, or not improving, we want to know. Please talk to your nurse or doctor.

We need your help to prevent infections. Please wash your hands before and after visiting the bathroom and before all meals.

Please remind your visitors and staff to wash their hands too.

When it is time to go home, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about your hospital discharge.

It is important to know what to do when you get home, so ask as many questions as you like.

We can also give you written information and talk to your family or carer.

If you have feedback or want to make a complaint, speak to a staff member.

If you need any other help to make your hospital stay comfortable and safe, please let us know.