Into Hospital and Home Again: an online leaflet

Whilst in Hospital

Whilst you are in hospital you will be issued with an ID bracelet that you must wear this at all times, otherwise treatment may be delayed.

Alcohol and Smoking

Alcohol

Alcohol is not usually permitted on the ward.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed in any of the hospital buildings or grounds of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Patients, visitors and all staff are requested not to smoke whilst at the hospital.

Recovery from an operation, or any other medical treatment, is very much slower if you are a smoker. The ideal time to stop is before you come into hospital. Free help and support to stop smoking is available - either by asking your G.P., or by contacting the Gloucestershire Smoking Advice Service on telephone 01452 429345.

Religious and Spiritual Needs

Each Hospital has a Chaplaincy Team who visit the wards regularly. On admission, please ask the ward staff to tell the Chaplain of your religious and spiritual needs. We have a Hospital Chapel at Cheltenham and a Hospital Chapel and Prayer Hall in Gloucester. These are always open, do feel free to use them. We encourage you to inform your own religious or spiritual leader that you are coming into hospital.

Meal Times

Meal times vary between wards. The hospital recommends a healthy eating policy. If you are on a diet for medical reasons and would like further advice ask the nurse to arrange for a dietitian to see you.

Diet and Nutrition

The Trust works within an agreed policy to provide meals that meet the nutritional requirements of all patients and that are in line with national guidelines.

The catering department provides choices for patients with specific dietary, religious and ethnic needs. If you have special dietary requirements you should let the nursing staff know and they will notify the Catering Department or refer you to the Department Nutrition and Dietetics as appropriate.

Accommodation for Relatives

A limited number of rooms are avilable to relatives in certain circumstances. Please ask the ward sister for details.

Facilities at the hospitals

Media - TV, Radio, Telephone

Your bedside console has buttons to control your reading light, radio [via headphones] and nurse call system. Please ask staff if you have any questions about this system. Television is available in all day rooms and some of the ward bays. These facilities are to be replaced by individual Patient Control Units which will provide the services currently available plus additional services for ordering your meals, hospital and healthcare information etc. Some services such as Internet access and selected television will be chargeable and available by means of a charge card. Your doctors and nurses will also be able to use specialised facilities to show you any information regarding your condition and progress.

All people on the ward are reminded of the need to be aware of how far their voices carry in the generally quiet environment of the wards. This is particularly important when using the Day Rooms and TVs. The new systems are specifically designed to use headphones or very local low power speakers.

Cotswold Radio broadcasts from 7.30pm each weekday and from 10.00am at weekends, a programme guide is available on the ward and record request forms are collected each day. Trolley pay phones are available in each ward so that you can call friends/relatives if you wish - these are quite separate from the new communications systems referred to above.

Staff would appreciate if calls were kept to a minimum especially at weekends and during shift handover periods:

• 7.30am - 8.00am
• 1.45pm - 2.30pm
• 8.45pm - 9.15pm

For patients from a large family, it is appreciated if a spokesperson is appointed to relay progress to those concerned.

Books, magazines, sweets and newspapers are available from either the hospital shop or trolley. Snacks and light meals are also available from the catering services cafeteria/restaurant.

Mobile phones

Because of potential interference with sensitive medical equipment, patients and visitors are requested not to use mobile phones in the hospital. All mobile phones should be switched off and should not be used.

Translation/interpreting services

You may need help communicating during your stay. Please let staff know as soon as possible so help can be arranged.

 

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