Settling into your ward

Our staff are here to look after you and help answer any questions you may have. This page provides general information about settling into your ward. For more specific information about the ward that you will be staying on please see the wards page.

Arriving at hospital

Your admission letter gives details of where to go when you arrive at the hospital.  If you are not sure, please ask at the hospital's main reception.

When you reach your ward, please hand any medicines to your nurse.  The ward staff will keep a record of all the medicines you take during your stay.  Please tell us if you have any allergies or side effects to any medicines.

Welcome pack

You will be be given a welcome pack by the person who welcomed you to the ward. It will give you information about what to expect during your stay.

Identity bracelet

You will receive a hospital identity bracelet with your name on it. Please wear this all the time you are in the hospital.

Your accommodation - our same-sex declaration

You will usually be staying in a ward that specialises in the care of the condition or illness that you have. These wards are made up of separate bays.

• you will share the room you sleep in with patients of the same sex as you
• same sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to your bed area

You will only share accommodation with patients of the opposite sex in exceptional situations, for example if you need specialist equipment, such as in intensive care or if you choose to, for instance on our dialysis units. 

We will not turn patients away just because a 'right-sex' bed is not immediately available.  If you have any concerns, please speak to your ward or unit's sister, charge nurse or matron.  

For more information see our same sex accommodation declaration (PDF 26Kb).

For more information on our plans for the future see our action plan (PDF 38Kb).

Storage 

We provide a bedside cupboard for your personal belongings.  This is not lockable and we do not recommend using it for valuable items.  We recommend leaving your valuables at home.

Entertainment units

There are entertainment units for your personal use, which have a telephone, TV and radio. Charges apply. See the Hospedia page for more information.

Your ward may also have a day room where you can watch TV or sit with your visitors.

Keeping in touch with friends and family

Telephones

You can use your bedside telephone for a fee.  There are also card-operated payphones around the hospital. Your relatives and friends can call you at your bedside phone in most cases.  However, please note that incoming calls are charged at a premium rate to the caller.

Mobile phones

• mobile phones should not be used in some areas as they might interfere with some medical equipment or disturb other patients
• in the places where you can use them, please keep them on silent mode and be considerate to other patients

Post 

Your relatives or friends are welcome to write to you in hospital.  Please ask them to address the letter or card with your full name and the name of your ward, followed by the hospital address (at the bottom of this page).  Don't forget to tell them which hospital you are in.

If you would like to send a letter yourself, please hand this to your nurse who will post it for you.  You will need to provide a stamp.

Smoking

You will be asked whether you smoke or not. 

You are not allowed to smoke anywhere in our buildings or immediately outside entrances and exits.  Please only use the designated smoking shelters. See the no smoking page for more information and for help on how to quit.