Inpatients
An inpatient is someone staying at hospital for one or more nights.
Single sex accommodation
Read our declaration on single sex accommodation here.
Changing your admission date
Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to keep your appointment so we can offer it to another patient. The telephone number to ring is on your appointment letter or phone the main switchboard on 01202 665511.
What to do when you arrive
At the Reception at Entrance 10 please ask for directions to the location of your Ward.
Please report to the Ward Reception/Office where you will be welcomed and a member of staff will show you around and help you settle in. Please ask the staff if you have particular worries.
What to bring with you
- Your appointment letter or card;
- Any letters from your GP, district nurse, physiotherapist or other health worker;
- Bring all your medicines with you and give them to the nurse in charge. It is important that your Hospital doctor knows about any medicines you are already taking. Please also bring special cards – such as diabetic or steroid;
- Toiletries, Night clothes, dressing gown, slippers and a towel;
- Money for incidentals, refreshments, prescriptions, car parking.
Please AVOID bringing valuables or large amounts of cash with you, as the hospital cannot accept responsibility for personal belongings.
You will have your own bedside locker for your personal belongings. The lockers are not lockable so please do not bring any valuables but if this is unavoidable we do have a safe to deposit valuable items and money. However, this facility is not available at weekends.
Medicines
Whilst you are here, your Hospital doctor will review any medicines you have been taking. It is therefore helpful to note the following:
It is sometimes necessary for staff to continue using your own medicines for you until our pharmacy has dispensed a new supply.
If any of your own medicines are discontinued by the Hospital doctor, our pharmacy is able to safely dispose of them on your behalf.
Make sure you understand about the medicines you take home at the end of your stay in Hospital. If you are not clear, ask to speak to one of our pharmacists.
If you are unsure about your medicines once you are at home, you can call our Pharmacy Department. It helps them to help you if you tell them your name, the ward you were on, the date you went home and have the medicines with you when you call. Telephone 01202 442127.
How long will I be in hospital?
On many occasions you will have been given an indication of how long your stay is likely to be. This, however, may change as your treatment and care progress, so please ask your nurse or doctor if they feel your planned day for going home has, or is likely to change.
If drugs are needed, they will be ordered from our pharmacy for you to take with you and any clinic appointments can usually be made fairly quickly by phone or sent on to you afterwards.
What do I need to know about my discharge from hospital?
We, along with other local hospitals, the primary care trust and local councils, have signed up to a set of quality standards to ensure the safe, effective and timely transfer of patients from hospital settings. Click here to see these standards.
Wards & Staff
Generally speaking you will be admitted to a ward that deals with your particular condition. If by chance a bed on the preferred ward is not available, we feel the priority is to get you into Hospital rather than cancel your admission.
In some circumstances or emergencies you may be asked to move beds or even wards. We do everything we can to avoid such occurrences and assure you that your own care and best interests would never be compromised. Please accept our apology if this happens to you.
Some wards accommodate both male and female patients but we ensure you are cared for in separate areas and that bathroom and toilet facilities are separate.
The main staff you will meet will be doctors, nurses, therapists and portering staff who are part of the team caring for you. All Staff wear a picture identification badge stating their name and their job. If they are not wearing one don’t be embarrassed about asking them who they are and check with a member of staff known to you.
Other staff have different colour uniforms indicating their job or, with Nurses, their seniority.
Hospital 'grab sheets'
Completing a hospital grab sheet provides healthcare professionals with information about the person (patient) as an individual.
The hospital grab sheet has been developed by working closely with Poole Forum, people with learning disabilities, people with dementia and their carers.
It has also been adapted from the ‘This is me’ document produced by the Alzheimer’s Association and supported by the Royal College of Nursing.
Click here for more information on the hospital grab sheet.
TV, radio and telephone
A radio/information channel is provided free at each bedside plus a fee-paying television and telephone service.
Can my family help?
Yes please. We encourage family members to be part of the helping team if it is what you wish. Some close family or friends may help in some aspects of your care, and you may feel more comfortable with their help. This can range from help with meals, washing, dressing, walking or more specific help, especially if this support will be given from your family once at home. Hospital volunteers will be pleased to visit patients who do not have regular visitors. Please ask staff for advice about this.
Who should my family or friends phone for information?
Each ward or department has their own direct dial number or you can telephone the main Hospital switchboard and ask to be put through. It would be very helpful if you could arrange for one member of your family to act as the main contact person who will keep the rest of your friends and family informed. Please let us know if there is anyone you do not wish to be informed.
How can I find out about my own condition and treatment?
In Hospital the main people you will meet are the nursing and medical teams. Do ask them questions as you see them or if you have things that are worrying you, ask to see them to discuss your concerns. Write a list if it helps.
At home discuss your particular condition with your GP, health visitor, district nurse or community midwife.
Our Health Information and Resource Centre is also able to give you some information. You and your family are welcome to visit the Centre that is on Longfleet Road, next to the multi-storey car park. Phone 01202 448003 to make sure it is open first.
Consent
You may be having an operation or treatment or investigation that requires you to sign a consent form. Before signing, the doctor will explain what is going to happen. Remember to ask questions if you are not sure or do not understand.