We realise that this can be an anxious time and we will try to keep you informed about all aspects of your care.
What you need for an overnight stay:
- Night clothes, dressing gown and slippers;
- Wash things, towels and toiletries, shavers;
- Any medicines that you are taking and any special medication cards (e.g. steroid or diabetes card/chart).
- Contact details of friends/family.
- Juice
You may like to keep occupied with:
- Books or magazines,
- Knitting or writing paper and pen
- Ipad/MP3 player (with headphones)
Please do not bring:
- Valuables, large sums of money, jewellery, chequebooks or credit cards
- Large amounts of food
- Alcohol
Please not bedside lockers are small and not lockable.
Hospital Care
Nursing and medical care are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy may offer a 5 day service, Monday to Friday, 9-5pm, except in specialist areas such as the Intensive Care Unit.
Staff on the ward will place a wristband on you and confirm all the details are correct, staff will continue to check these details before any tests and medications are administered.
Please make staff aware if you need extra help to communicate, or need support from a friend, carer or family member.
Please make stuff aware of any allergies you may have.
Nursing staff will take steps to prevent Blood clots, pressure ulcers, falls and infections. However, you can also take steps to prevent these:
- Regularly change position in bed.
- Take short walks, if you are able to
- Wear snug fitting slippers or shoes with rubber soles
- Wear your glasses and hearing aids if you have them
- Ask staff to help you move if you find it difficult.
- You might need to have injections to thin your blood.
Doctors ward rounds
Doctors from your consultant’s team will see you at different times during your stay. Please tell a member of staff if you do not understand what is going on with your care.
If you or your relatives wish to speak to a doctor, the ward staff can arrange this.
Will I be informed about my treatment?
We want you to be fully informed about any treatment, procedures and test results. All information about your treatment is kept strictly confidential apart from your GP; we will not pass it on to anyone outside the hospital unless you give us permission.
Consenting to treatment
You will be asked to sign a consent form before having an operation, investigation or some treatments. Please make sure you understand what is involved, any risks, benefits and alternatives before you sign. You also need to understand the pros and cons of what may happen if you do not have the treatment or investigation.
If you are unable to give your consent, your medical team will act in your best interests.
Make sure you:
- Understand when you will receive your hospital discharge letter and any follow up appointments
- Been given any medicines to take at home; and know what they’re for and how to take them
- Know who to contact if you have any questions about your care or follow up arrangements.
Keeping in contact
Mobile phones are permitted but we ask that you please keep on silent, so as not to disturb other patients. If you do not have a mobile phone then please try to arrange for just one person to ring the hospital to enquire how you are; this person can then inform other family & Friends. For reasons of confidentiality we cannot give medical information over the phone, but we can say how you are getting on.
Visiting times
Visiting times are 8am – 10pm every day for most wards. Please check with ward staff for any local variations, or to discuss any special arrangements.
Please check if/when children are permitted to visit ward.
Only two visitors by the bed at anytime
Please ask visitors not to visit if they have a cough, cold or infection.
Protected Mealtimes
Because patients can find eating difficult when they are unwell the hospital has introduced the ‘protected mealtimes’ scheme.
During protected mealtimes wards are closed to visitors and no routine procedures or investigations take place.
In some areas, we welcome relatives to come into the ward if they are assisting with the patient’s meal. Please discuss this with ward staff.
Parking
There are pay & display car parks close to the hospital. Parking spaces are limited so please allow extra time. If your relatives do not need to accompany you, it may be easier if you could be dropped off.
Disabled parking
There are some free designated spaces in the hospital carparks for disabled (blue) badge holders.
Interpreters
If you need an interpreter or advocate (someone who can speak on your behalf) please ask your nurse, or you can phone the appropriate PALS desk.
Bedford
01234 795814
01234 355122 (ext 4629)
Luton
01582 497990
Spiritual care
The Chaplaincy Team offer confidential support to all patients, visitors and staff, of any faith, belief or none – our service is here and we offer a non-judgemental listening ear. Please ask the ward staff to contact the chaplain or you can visit the chapel and multi faith room.
Bedford
Main corridor leading from Britannia Road
Luton
2nd floor Main hospital with a multi-faith room.
Concerns or complaints
We hope you will be happy with the care you receive at the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS. If you have any concerns or complaints about your care, please speak to the person in charge of the ward or the Matron if you are still not happy please speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in the hospital.
Bedford
01234 795814
01234 355122 (ext 4629)
Luton
01582 497990
No Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted inside any of the hospital premises or anywhere in the hospital grounds.