For Patients

Information for Inpatients

There are a number of items which you may wish to consider bringing with you to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The checklist below is a guide:

It is important to bring with you

• Our admission letter
• Our out-patient appointment card (if you have one)
• All your medication including tablets, injections & inhalers and a copy of your GP repeat prescription request
• The name, address and contact numbers of your next of kin
• Your record card if you are taking steroids or any anti coagulation therapy
• Your record card if you have diabetes.

Personal items

• Underwear, enough for your stay
• Hairbrush/comb
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Flannel and towels
• Dressing gown, slippers and night clothes
• Moist disposable hand wipes
• Paper tissues
• Change for the telephone, newspapers, etc
• Shampoo, liquid soap/shower gel*

* these may not be needed as anti-bacterial body wash is now provided on most wards

If you use the following, please bring them with you

• Shaving equipment
• Hearing aid
• Walking stick (labelled with your name)
• Special shoes
• Spectacles/contact lenses
• Sanitary towels
• Dentures, dentures holder and cleaner

Space is limited in the bedside lockers so please do not bring more than you need.

No Smoking

Since March 29th 2006 all hospitals and other premises operated by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust became completely smoke free. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital grounds by patients, visitors or staff. If you have concerns about this policy and wish to explore whether you can access nicotine replacement therapy while you are in hospital, please contact your GP before your admission date.

Mobile Phones

You and your visitors are requested to ensure that mobile phones are switched off in the hospital except in designated zones as they can dangerously interfere with the function of hospital equipment.

Patients’ Property and Monies

During your stay it is advisable to keep the amount of cash and valuables that you have in your possession to a minimum, or hand them to nursing staff for safe keeping. If you wish to keep cash or valuables with you, you will be asked to sign an indemnity form. Patients and visitors are reminded that the Northern Lincolnshire & Goole Hospitals NHS Trust cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to patients’ personal belongings.

Medical & other healthcare students

Students are the doctors and healthcare professionals of the future and attend with the consultant in charge as part of their training. If you do not wish medical or any other healthcare students to be present, please tell the nursing staff before the ward round - this will not affect your treatment.

Information for relatives and friends

It is only natural that family and friends will be anxious and want to know how you are progressing. As the switchboard and wards are very busy we ask that one member of your family, or a friend, is nominated to ring the ward and then pass on the information to others. There is a direct dial number for each ward and this is given at the front of this booklet. Copying letters to patients The Trust is working towards all patients receiving copies of healthcare correspondence, where appropriate. You may be asked if you would like to be included in this.

Spiritual arrangements

The hospital Chaplain visits the wards on a regular basis and is available to speak with any patient, should they so desire. Please ask the nursing staff if you wish to speak to a chaplain, or a representative from another denomination or faith. Click here for further information about Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care.

Social Worker

Illness or separation from your family often creates special problems. A social work department is based at the hospital and they will be happy to help you. If you wish to see a social worker please ask your named nurse.

Pensions and benefits

If you wish to have a friend or relative deal with your pension and/or cash orders on your behalf you will need to make arrangements with the Department of Social Security (DSS). Check your allowance book to see If you have to inform the DSS of your hospital admission, as some benefits and pensions may be reduced, depending upon individual circumstances.

Going home

When the time arrives for you to be discharged, the staff on your ward will advise you of the procedure and make sure you have everything you need. They will also advise you about medication and any follow up appointments. It is important that you do not leave the ward until you have spoken to a trained nurse and have received your discharge advice.

Confidentiality

Information on NHS patients is collected in a variety of ways and for a number of reasons (e.g. providing care and treatment; managing and planning the NHS; training and educating staff; research; etc). It is stored on paper and computerised systems in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. Information will only ever be shared with people who have a genuine need for it (e.g. your GP or other professions from whom you may be receiving care) or if the law requires it, for example, to notify a birth. Please be assured, however, that anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.

Zero tolerance - violent, threatening and abusive behaviour

The Trust, and its staff, are committed to providing high quality care to patients within the hospital. However, we wish to advise all patients/visitors that the following inappropriate behaviour will NOT be tolerated:-

• Swearing
• Threatening/abusive behaviour
• Verbal/physical abuse

The Trust reserves the right to withdraw from treating patients who have inappropriate behaviour and will ensure the removal of such persons from the premises. All acts of criminal violence and aggression will be notified to the Police immediately.

Risk Management strategy

The Trust welcomes comments and suggestions from patients and visitors that could help reduce risk. Perhaps you have experienced something whilst in hospital; whilst attending as an out-patient or as a visitor which made you feel at risk. Please tell a member of staff on the ward or in the department you are visiting.

Concerns and Queries

If you have any concerns/queries about anything to do with your care and/or stay in hospital, in the first instance, please speak to the person providing your care.