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.

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

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.