When you arrive

You can be dropped off by car outside the inpatient entrance at the East and Centre Block Atrium on Level 1. There’s no car park charge for dropping off patients.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions and the need to protect our patients and staff, the person bringing you to hospital cannot accompany you to the ward. There are exemptions for patients who require additional support, so please speak to the Nurse in Charge if you feel this applies to you. Please check this page on the day of your procedure for any updates.

Please report to the reception desk at the entrance and you’ll be directed or accompanied to your ward, where your name, personal details and next of kin information will be checked.

You may be given a bed in an individual room with en-suite toilet or in a single-sex, six-bed bay. Read more.

At the start of every nursing shift, the nurses looking after you should introduce themselves to you, so you know who to call.

Medication

You’ll be asked about any medication you’re taking to check your medication history, so please bring any medications with you.

Discharge information

On entering hospital you will be given a leaflet to help you prepare for your discharge.

Infection prevention and control

During the current pandemic, and in line with guidance from Public Health England, we’re asking all our patients to wear face masks, covering their mouth and nose, to help stop any risk of spreading infection. There are exceptions – for example if a mask gets in the way of your treatment, for patients with a physical or mental illness or impairment or a disability, where wearing a mask would cause severe distress, and for children under the age of 11. If you are in labour and giving birth you will also be exempt, however your birth partner will need to wear a face mask at all times.

We’re also asking patients – and everyone else in the hospital – to maintain a social distance of two metres and to pay particular attention to hand hygiene. We’ve alcohol gel dispensers on every ward and if you think a member of staff hasn’t washed their hands, please ask them to do so or mention it to someone in charge.

Identity bracelets

For safety, you’ll be asked to wear an identity bracelet during your stay – please check that the details are correct and keep it on until you’re discharged. Your name will normally be displayed on the ward and may be visible to other people, so please let a member of staff know if you’d prefer this not to happen.