Before your stay

• Your inhaler, tablets or any medicines you are taking, even over the counter. (If you take regular medicines, a copy of the printed ‘repeat prescription slip’ from your GP surgery would be very helpful.)
• Night clothes, slippers (non-slip) and dressing gown.
• Comfortable clothes or tracksuit.
• Toiletries (e.g. towel, soap, flannel, toothbrush, hairbrush, shaving kit, cosmetics).
• Glasses or contact lenses and solution, hearing aid or dentures if you use them.

You may also want to bring writing materials, books or magazines and a small amount of money for newspapers and small purchases. It’s also a good idea to make sure anything you bring with you is clearly marked with your name.

You can bring your phone or your laptop with you as well, but please bear in mind that using these can disturb other patients so it’s best to bring headphones as well.

Please try to avoid bringing valuables or large sums of money into hospital because we can’t accept responsibility for items that are lost if you don’t ask us to look after them. You can give them to the nurse to take to the cashier’s office for safekeeping during your stay.

Whilst we do everything we can to make sure you are admitted to hospital on the date planned, because we deal with emergencies, on rare occasions we may have to reschedule.

Please phone the ward before you leave home to check that a bed is available for you.

You’ll need to arrange for your own transport to get to the hospital. If this isn’t possible, or you think you will need some help, please visit the transport and transport costs section on our practical help and advice page for more details on the support we may be able to offer. You can also find details there about how we can help you get to and from the mainland if you live on the Isles of Scilly.

Sometimes single rooms (amenity beds) may be available for patients who wish to use them. There is a charge for this facility. For further details please contact Patient Services on 01872 252963.

When you arrive at the hospital, go to the ward shown in your admission letter. (Find directions to each or our wards here, or ask any staff on reception for directions when you arrive).

You’ll be met at the ward reception by a member of staff who can answer any questions and help you get settled in.

Don’t forget to tell your doctor or nurse about all the medicines you are taking, even those you have bought over the counter. They will check that all the medicines you need are available from hospital stock, then your relative or friend can take your own medicines home if you wish.