Your stay in hospital

The daily routine varies between wards. When you arrive in your ward, the staff will explain when you can expect your meals. For lunch and dinner, you will be asked to complete a menu sheet. The staff will help you if needed. Please inform us of any special dietary needs you may have, or if you feel you have lost weight, or your appetite has recently been affected as we can refer you to a dietician if you would like help, advice or support.

A number of wards operate a protected mealtimes service for lunch and evening meals. This means all staff are asked to avoid carrying out any assessments over lunch and dinner. All ward activities (except emergency treatment) stop so that staff are available to serve food and give assistance to patients who need it. The service also creates a more relaxed and calm atmosphere, allowing patients to enjoy their meals without distractions.

We cater for many different special dietary requirements, including diets suitable for people with coeliac disease, low potassium and no-added-salt diets as well as ones for allergies and intolerances. We have a soft, a healthy eating and a vegetarian choice available at each meal service and we also offer separate menus for vegan, puree, halal and kosher diets. If you have a dietary requirement, please inform a member of staff on admission. If for any reason you were off the ward when the lunch or evening meals were served, ward staff can order a replacement meal. This service is available 24 hours a day. If you need to receive a meal from this service, please ask a member of staff.

If you are not eating well in hospital make sure that you tell the nursing staff. This will ensure that you get the support you need. If you eat well in hospital you are more likely to recover quickly and go home sooner. Don’t be afraid to ask for help during mealtimes. The ward staff are happy to help with eating or drinking - this could be by helping to feed you, opening containers or cutting up food. We have food choices for patients who have difficulty chewing or swallowing and adapted cutlery to make it easier for patients to feed themselves.

Patients are nutritionally screened on admission and weekly thereafter. If your score shows that you are at high risk of malnutrition you will be referred to a dietitian for support. The ward staff will also help by offering you extra snacks, nourishing drinks and high protein and energy meal options. You will also be served your meals on a red tray, to highlight to staff members that we need to be closely monitoring your food intake and so that assistance is offered at meal times if needed.

We recognise the importance of sleep and rest in the recovery of our patients. We aim to keep all disturbances, such as noise at night and the use of the main ward lights, to a minimum.

The main ward lights should be turned out at approximately 22:00. When the main lights are switched off, there is a reading lamp next to your bed that either you may use or may be used by the nurses if you require late-night care.

Ear plugs and eye masks are available on all wards upon request. If you are disturbed during the night or have difficulty sleeping, please speak to one of the staff, who will discuss with you options to improve your sleep and rest.

You are permitted to use a mobile phone on most wards, however, please be sensitive to other patients and staff around you. Some wards do not permit use of mobile phones. Please ask staff if you are unsure. Mobile phones must not be used for photographing or filming staff or patients due to confidentiality.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept responsibility or liability for any loss or damage to personal property on the hospital site. We therefore encourage patients not to bring large amounts of money or valuables into hospital. You may want to keep a small amount of money for newspapers and magazines.

The staff on the ward aim to look after all aspects of our patients and their relatives' requirements. The staff will ensure that you understand your care and treatment options and involve you as much as you want in the decisions about your treatment. The doctors undertake regular ward rounds, with most doctors having specific times in the week when they visit the ward. Please check the exact times with the ward staff.

Staff are approachable and sensitive to each individual’s needs. The ward rounds are an opportunity for the doctors and nurses to talk to you about your care and treatment and for you to ask questions. However, if you have any questions at any other time, please approach a member of staff.

If you or your relatives wish to speak to a specific doctor individually, this can be arranged through the ward manager or nurse in charge.

We will encourage you to be up and moving as soon as possible after surgery. This may be the same day of surgery, or the day after. This is important as it will help prevent chest infections and blood clots in your legs. Remember to follow any instructions or restrictions given by your surgeon.

It is safe to get your wound wet 48 hours after surgery, unless you are advised otherwise. Do not add anything to the water, and do not put any creams, ointments or powders on the wound. If your wound needs to be kept dry, you will be provided with waterproof dressings for showering.

After an operation you will find loose clothing most comfortable. You will be encouraged to wear your own clothes from home, rather than wearing nightwear during the day.