Preparing to come to hospital

Welcome. We hope the following information will help you, your family and friends prepare for your visit to us.

What should I bring with me? (outpatients)

• Your appointment letter. This contains specific instructions about your appointment. Please read this carefully and bring it along when you come to see us.
• Any letters for the consultant from your GP, district nurse, physiotherapist or other health worker.
• Money for prescriptions, refreshments, etc. If you are exempt from prescription charges, or have a prepayment certificate, please bring proof with you.
• If you are diabetic, please bring a snack.
• A list of any questions to ask.
• A list of your current medication.

What should I bring with me? (inpatients)

• Your admission letter. This contains specific instructions about your admission. Please read this carefully and bring it along when you come to see us.
• Proof of entitlement to free travel costs (if applicable)
• All your current medication in their original containers
• Day clothes and shoes
• Nightwear, dressing gown and slippers
• Toothbrush and paste
• Hairbrush and comb
• Soap and shampoo
• Shaving kit
• Glasses/contact lenses (if applicable)
• A small amount of money for refreshments, newspapers
• Any mobility aids you use, such as a walking stick or frame
• Books/magazines
• Mobile device/tablet to access free Wi-Fi and patient entertainment system, headphones and charger

Please only bring in items which you really need as space is very limited. Please mark personal property with your name, where possible, so that it can be easily identified.

Please note that there are no laundry facilities available in the hospital.

We strongly advise you not to bring in any valuables, large amounts of money or jewellery. The Trust accepts no liability for any loss, damage or theft of any property belonging to a patient, except where the property has been deposited with the Trust for safekeeping.

It shall be the responsibility of the patient before leaving the hospital to ensure that all property deposited for safekeeping is returned in a good condition.

Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay

While you are in hospital, keeping you safe and well is a priority for the staff looking after you. There are also some simple things you can do to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay, such as asking for help when needed, protecting yourself from slips and falls and helping to prevent blood clots.

The NHS England National Patient Safety Team have created a video and leaflet (available in a range of languages) providing tips on keeping yourself safe during your hospital stay.

What information will I need to tell you?

It is important that our patient records are up to date and accurate; this ensures that we provide you with the best possible service.

You can help us by confirming the following information when attending the hospital:

• Full name
• Address and postcode
• Date of birth
• Telephone number (daytime, home and mobile)
• GP details

You can also help us by providing extra details, such as:

• Ethnic origin
• Religion
• Next of kin
• Carer details, if applicable

For infection prevention and control reasons please could you let us know:

• If you have been in another hospital/clinic in this country or abroad in the last six weeks
• If you are currently having any vomiting and/or diarrhoea that cannot be explained
• If you have been in contact with with anyone who has has unexplained diarrhoea and/or vomiting and/or symptoms of 'flu within the last 48 hours
• If you have ever been told that you had Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile, (C.diff) or any other micro-organism that you think we should know about.

Help us to help you by letting us know the following information in advance:

• If you require any special assistance at your appointment.
• If you need an interpreter to attend your appointment with you.
• If you require your letters in a different format, such as large font, or a different language.
• If you require transport for your appointment.
• If you have ever been told that you had Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile, (C.diff) or any other micro-organism that you think we should know about.

Be reassured that we will keep the information in your records confidential and in line with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Your privacy and dignity

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust is a teaching hospital and student doctors, nurses and other professionals train here. Your permission will always be asked before your treatment is used as part of student training.

The Trust also undertakes a wide range of research activity and clinical trials. If you are asked to participate in a research or clinical study, a full explanation will be provided to you by the doctor.

All staff wear a name badge. Please seek confirmation of identity if approached by any staff without a name badge. The hospital have their own security staff who patrol the hospital and grounds. They wear a navy blue uniform.

It will not always be possible to provide a chaperone whilst you are being examined, although one is available for intimate examinations. If you would like a chaperone please speak to a member of staff on arrival. Alternatively, please bring someone with you, who you dont mind being present during your examination.

We ask you for information so that you can receive the best care and treatment you need. We keep this information, together with details of your care, because it may be needed if we see you again. Everyone who works in the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. Further information about this can be obtained from the staff looking after you, or from the Medical Records Department.

Accommodation

Some accommodation is available at Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. Please ask staff for further details.

Whilst the other hospital sites do not have accommodation for the relatives and carers of patients to stay in, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service can provide details of local places to stay, if you would find this helpful.