Admission Procedure

Full instructions regarding what you require for admission to hospital will be included in your admission letter. Please follow these instructions fully and carefully. Every effort will have been made to give you sufficient notice of admission, but sometimes this is unavoidably short. If this causes you any 

If, for any reason you are unable to attend for admission on the date specified, please inform the hospital immediately by telephoning the extension number on your letter, so that arrangements can be made for another patient to be admitted.

To show consideration for all of our patients, it would be appreciated if only one person accompanies you on admission. Please note that seating is available for patients but relatives/friends may be asked to stand.

Elective Surgery and the Covid-19 vaccination

For all our patients undergoing elective surgery, please remember that you must ensure that you have seven days between your Covid-19 vaccination and your planned surgery (both before and after surgery). This is to make sure that any symptoms are correctly attributed to either your vaccination or the operation itself.

If you are due to book your vaccination or have one planned, please make sure you book this around your planned surgery date, as failure to do this may result in your surgery being cancelled.

Your Family Doctor

Please let your family doctor/General Practitioner (GP) know that you are going to be admitted to hospital.

Additional Needs

If you have any additional needs which we should be aware of during your stay in hospital (e.g. visual or physical impairment), please contact the ward sister prior to or immediately on your admission.

Hospitals have available textphones (minicom), sonic telephone amplifiers, neck induction loops and fitted induction loops within each day room; also some information is available in Braille and on audio tape.

Friends and Relatives

If you live alone, you may wish to let relatives/neighbours know that you are entering hospital so they are not worried by your absence and can keep an eye on your property.

Current Medication

It is very important that you bring with you all your current medication in the original containers.

What to Bring

You may wish to use this checklist as a guide to the items you will need in hospital

  • Shaving equipment
  • Hairbrush
  • Comb
  • Denture Cleaner
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Face Flannel
  • Underwear
  • Night clothes
  • Slippers
  • Dressing Gown
  • Towels
  • Paper tissue
  • Day wear
  • Sweeteners
  • Special shoes
  • National Insurance No.
  • Pension book
  • Current medication

You may also like to bring aids to daily living e.g. walking sticks, spectacles, sanitary pads, nappies. You can also, if you wish, bring cordials, books, writing materials, postage stamps and some small change.

When you arrive

When you arrive at the ward, you will be met by a nurse or the ward clerk who will show you where the facilities on the ward are situated. When you are admitted it is important that the hospital receives the name, address and telephone number of your next of kin/carer/partner, or that of a friend or neighbour. (You may find it easier to have this written down prior to coming to the hospital). It is also important that we are informed of your home circumstances so that we can begin to plan for your safe discharge.

Personal Possessions

The hospital cannot accept responsibility for cash or valuables left on the ward unless they are handed in to the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse who will give you an official receipt and ensure they are safely stored. You are advised not to bring valuables into hospital and only to bring sufficient cash to cover the cost of newspapers, telephone calls etc.