Looking after you during your stay

When you arrive on the ward

A nurse or ward clerk will check your details and welcome you to the ward.

You will be given a white wrist band to wear during your stay. You may also need to wear a red wrist band if you have any allergies.

If you have not done so already, please:

✓ hand any medicines you usually take to your nurse, including non-prescription and herbal medications

✓ use the bedside locker for your belongings.

✓ give any valuables to staff for safekeeping. The ward staff will complete a property list with you

✓ tell us if you have any mobility needs or special requirements, such as an interpreter

Who you might see whilst in hospital:

Food and drink

We will give you a menu to choose your meals from before every mealtime. Please tell the ward staff as soon as possible if you eat a special diet such as gluten-free, vegan, or Halal.

Please also let us know if a speech and language therapist has recommended you have food and drink of a different consistency, such as easy chew, fortified, or puréed.

If you miss a meal, we can arrange for you to have a hot meal either from our catering team (between 7am to 8pm) or a microwaveable ready meal. Each ward also has a range of snacks available such as porridge, rice pots, cereal bars, and pot noodles.

We will offer you a hot or cold drink in between meals and before bed. Please ask a member of staff for details of mealtimes on your ward.

If your family and friends would like to bring in your favourite foods to help your appetite, please ask them to check with the ward team first. This is to make sure that the food does not affect your treatment plan or interact with medication or allergies. Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to safely store food brought in for patients.

Patients’ mealtimes are protected from unnecessary or inappropriate intrusions or interruptions. This includes cleaning, bedside toileting (such as patients using commodes), and doctors’ rounds (except in an emergency).