We want you to be as comfortable as possible when you’re in hospital, however long you need to stay. The following information will tell you everything you need to know about staying in hospital and going home when you are ready to.
You may be given more information on your ward regarding your particular condition or treatment. Please take the time to read through this, and speak with a member of staff if you have any questions or need anything to make your stay better.
You will have received a letter to tell you when you need to come to hospital and where you should go.
You’ll need to arrange your own transport to get to hospital - this could include a taxi, public transport, or a lift from a relative or friend.
If this is not possible, or if you need some help, you may be eligible for the Patient Transport Service, operated by North West Ambulance Service.
During your stay, it is likely that you will need nightwear, everyday clothes, a dressing gown, underwear and appropriate footwear like slippers. We are unable to offer a laundry service.
You should also bring toiletries including a toothbrush and toothpaste, a towel, any personal aids you require, and items for washing, personal hygiene, and grooming.
It is a good idea to bring a small amount of cash or a credit/debit card to buy newspapers, sweets, or if you want to use the bedside TV system.
You can also bring items like books, magazines or crosswords with you. We ask that you are considerate to other patients when using mobile phones, laptops or other electronic devices. Please keep noise to a minimum by keeping these devices on silent, or by using earphones.
Cameras or recording equipment are not permitted without the express consent from the person you are taking the image of.
Please do not bring in valuables.
Alcohol, cigarettes or e-cigarettes are not permitted in hospital at any time.
In order to prescribe your medication while you are in hospital, we need to know what medicine (including herbal remedies and supplements) you normally take. Please follow the instructions in your hospital admission letter about medicines, or bring them with you in their original containers.
Your medicine will be stored and used as needed. If you need to take additional medicines while in hospital, these will be sent to your ward with appropriate instructions. On discharge, you will be provided with a supply of medicines as part of the Trust's Discharge Planning Policy.
Please tell us if you take any time-critical medication so we can make sure you continue to take it at the right time.
When you arrive on the ward, you will be welcomed and shown to your bed. Please note that single rooms are limited and are often allocated based on clinical need.
Patients who are admitted to any of our hospitals will only share the room where they sleep with members of the same sex, and same sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to their bed area. Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen by exception based on clinical need, for example, where patients need specialist equipment such as in Intensive Care or when patients choose to share.
A named, qualified nurse will co-ordinate your care throughout your stay. The nursing and medical staff will talk to you about your procedure and any individual needs. You will be asked for any relevant personal information, including contact details in case of an emergency.
You will need to wear an identity bracelet at all times. Equally, all staff wear ID badges.
There is a bedside cabinet for you to store any personal belongings.
We may need to transfer you to another part of the ward or to a different ward during your stay - particularly if you were admitted as an emergency. If this is necessary, the reasons will be explained.
Free NHS WiFi is available throughout our hospitals.
Doctors
While in hospital, you’ll be under the care of a Consultant who will look after you along with a team of doctors with different levels of experience.
Nurses
A team of qualified nurses will look after you, supervised by a Ward Manager. Nurses work in shifts, covering the ward 24 hours a day. As part of the handover between shifts, nurses discuss each patient and how they are doing.
Matrons
Matrons cover several wards and part of their role is to ensure patient care and treatment is the best it can be. Please ask to see the matron if there is anything you’d like to discuss about any aspect of your care.
Students / trainees
Our Trust participates in the training of medical, nursing, midwifery and Allied Health Professional students. These trainees may be involved in your care and treatment - always under supervision. If you do not want any trainees to be involved in your care and treatment, please inform a member of staff.
Other staff
During your time in hospital, you will probably meet other staff such as physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, porters, catering staff, domestic staff and ward clerks.
These staff wear different uniforms but will be happy to explain who they are and what their role is in your care - just ask!
Our staff will talk to you about your treatment before it starts. If it involves an operation or procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Before you do this, please make sure you fully understand what is being said. If you’re not sure, the team can repeat the information and you can ask any questions.
You can withdraw your consent at any time - even after signing the consent form.
We want your experience with us to be as good as it can be. We aim to provide you with high quality care and treatment that is safe, effective and respects your privacy and dignity.
Patients who are admitted to any of our hospitals will only share the room where they sleep with members of the same sex, and same sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to their bed area. Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen by exception based on clinical need, for example, where patients need specialist equipment such as in Intensive Care or when patients choose to share.
We also ask our patients and visitors to respect the privacy and dignity of others. If you have any concerns, please talk to a member of staff.
We know that your loved ones will want to visit you whilst you’re in hospital and are happy to welcome them during visiting times. It’s not usually possible to visit outside of these hours unless agreed with the nursing staff.
Visitors are limited to two at a time per patient, and children must be supervised at all times.
If you ever feel overwhelmed by visitors, which can happen, please just let a nurse know.
If your loved one has a cold, cough, stomach upset or any other infectious, please ask them not to visit until they have been symptom free for 48 hours to prevent the risk of infecting other people.
We are committed to providing clean, safe care and ensuring the safety of patients, visitors and staff is our priority.
All of our staff are trained in hand hygiene. If you feel that hand hygiene has been neglected, please challenge the staff involved - they will not take offence. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, please raise it with another member of staff or the Ward Manager.
Our patients and visitors can help in stopping the spread of infection by taking some simple steps:
- Do not visit hospital if you have had symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, flu or similar illnesses in the last 48 hours
- Clean hands on entry to, and exit from, clinical areas using soap and water or hand gel at the stations provided
- Cough / sneeze into your elbow, not your hand
- Do not sit on patient beds - please use the chairs provided
- Do not bring in plants or flowers
- Where possible, do not visit with children, especially babies, as they are more vulnerable to germs and infections
As a teaching hospital Trust, research is vital to the development of a better healthcare for our patients, as well as the development of our next generation doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals.
We are highly active in clinical research with ongoing collaborative research studies working alongside local universities and running in-house research projects, and a number of commercial clinical trials.
While you’re being treated at one of our hospitals, a nurse or doctor might ask you about taking part in a research study. A study information sheet will be given and you will have time to think and ask questions if you wish. If you choose not to take part this will not affect your care with us. If you decide to take part, but change your mind, you can leave the study at any time.
For more information, visit our clinical research section.
General Office
The General Offices at each of our main hospitals are able to process the reimbursement of travel costs on presentation of proof of income related benefit and your appointment letter/card. They can also help with charity donations and general travel advice.
Get more information about claiming travel costs, including documents and advice line numbers.
Alternative versions of leaflets or information
If you need any booklets or information leaflets you are given during your stay in large print, braille, audio format or in another language, please ask a member of staff.
Interpreting services
If you need an interpreter to help you talk to doctors and nurses, ask a relative or friend to tell the nurses as soon as possible and we will do our best to provide an interpreter service.
Spiritual, religious and cultural needs
We do our best to respect spiritual, religious and cultural beliefs. Our Chaplaincy Team can help to meet the spiritual and religious needs of patients, their relatives and staff at the Trust. This can be done through direct contact with members of the Chaplaincy Team or by being put in contact with someone outside of the hospital who can help. This may be a local church leader, an imam, faith group leader, or a philosophical belief group.
The hospital chapels are open to everyone at each of our hospitals and staff can let you know exactly how to find them. If you’re at Furness General Hospital and would rather not use the main chapel, we also have a prayer room available.
More information
Staying in hospital as an inpatient - NHS
Soon after you come into hospital, the staff caring for you will help you plan for being discharged - this includes an expected date for when you will be ready to go home to help you make arrangements.
Our aim is that you leave hospital as soon as you are clinically well enough. This is so that you can continue your recovery in the best place for you, and we can provide NHS beds for people who need them most.
During your time in hospital, we will discuss any help you might need once you get home. If you aren’t able to return home for clinical reasons, we will discuss your options with you.
Going home checklist
If you or someone you know is getting ready to be discharged from hospital, the following checklist can make their return home as smooth as possible:
- Do they have somewhere warm and comfortable at home to recover?
- Do they have enough food?
- Make sure they can get home – could you give them a lift, or will they need money for a taxi or public transport? The North West Ambulance Service provides the Patient Transport Service for patients who meet the eligibility criteria
- Have they got clothes and shoes for going home?
- Make sure they have their house keys with them
- Do they have any specific medical needs that need to be organised – for example a sharps box for needles and syringes
- Are any home checks or adaptations needed – for example a home fire assessment or a stair lift installation?
Once you are at home, you will have the support you need as agreed during discharge. If you have any problems or questions, you can contact your GP or social care team for support.